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L.A. County Rallies for Census 2020 Call to Action Day to Ensure that Everyone Counts

April 8, 2019

CONTACT: Rosa Maria Santana, Deputy Communications Director, (213) 359-0795 or rsantana@bos.lacounty.gov  

LOS ANGELES, CA – More than 100 individuals from community organizations, unions, and government agencies joined Los Angeles County Supervisors Hilda L. Solis and Mark Ridley-Thomas and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Monday at a ‘Census Call to Action’ rally at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. The rally highlighted their shared commitment to ensuring that hard-to-reach populations will be included in the decennial census, despite the fact that Los Angeles County is the hardest-to-count county in the nation.

“The 2020 Census is the first census that will be done primarily electronically, creating an additional barrier for low-income families and communities of color. I am concerned that the effort to add a citizenship question may discourage responses, especially among immigrant communities. Today was a clear demonstration that LA County will work with our municipal and community partners to support our vulnerable communities. We embrace LA County’s diversity and we will make every effort to count every resident,” said Supervisor Solis, who hosted today’s Countywide community rally. “An accurate census count is not only foundational to representative democracy, but it ensures that schools and communities throughout LA County receive their fair share of federal funding. The federal government must not leave our vulnerable communities underfunded and underrepresented. Everyone counts!”

“The 2020 census will significantly impact how the federal government allocates funding and resources,” said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. “We are raising awareness a full year in advance of the 2020 census launch to ensure that Angelenos are fairly represented in the final census count.”

“Los Angeles is a city where everybody counts — and we’ll work hard to make sure everyone is counted in 2020,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Today is about standing together to reaffirm that promise, and modeling a path that can be followed by cities and counties across America.”

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Announcements, Countywide Outreach

Supervisor Hilda L. Solis to Host Countywide Census 2020 Kick-off Press Conference and Rally with Supervisor Ridley-Thomas and LA Mayor Garcetti

March 26, 2019

LOS ANGELES, CA – On Monday, April 1, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis will host a Countywide Census Call to Action along with Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, LA County Departments, LAUSD, and community-based organizations and residents from throughout the County to highlight the need to ensure that every County resident is counted in the 2020 Census.

The decennial census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and is used to determine political representation and to allocate hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding to states and local jurisdictions. A Census undercount could translate to fewer federal funds for transportation infrastructure projects, economic development, and programs that help support our most vulnerable residents. The 2020 Census will launch a year from April 1, 2019, the date LA County will observe its Census Call to Action.

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Announcements

Count the Nation Project Goes Live

February 25, 2019

Launching last week, Count the Nation aims to draw attention to the significance of the 2020 census and the critical role participation of all U.S. residents play in creating a national dataset because accurate census data is the foundation for an effective democracy that values all community interests and priorities equally. Led by the USC Annenberg Innovation Lab, which focuses on issues at the intersection of media, technology and society in collaboration with Wise Entertainment, the independent studio behind East Los High, Count the Nation is providing clear, compelling and factual content through social media, scripted entertainment and resources for news organizations.

Recognizing the vastly more complex media and technology environment than for the 2010 census, this team has created a broad media strategy that highlights the impact of this civic act. Content developed and shared by Count the Nation and its collaborators will demystify the census and motivate people to be counted — focusing on hard-to-count populations, which number in the tens of millions nationwide. Undercounting these groups will lead to a loss of federal funding for already marginalized communities and misalignment of political representation.

Conducted every decade since 1790, the census counts every person living in the United States, next on April 1, 2020. Census data informs nearly every aspect of community life, as the information collected is used to determine how over $800 billion in annual federal funding is spread across a 100+ programs and how Congressional seats are apportioned. This data is also invaluable for business, philanthropy and researchers in making decisions and tracking social and demographic changes. (more…)

Announcements, Miscellaneous

CA Has a New Census 2020 Site and Logo

May 17, 2018

The State of CA launched their website http://census.ca.gov which contains news, events, resources, and information on the State Complete Count Committee meetings and California Census 2020 – Regional Readiness Assessment Convenings. Information about the various Convening meetings can be found under their Events section.

Their slogan is “Be Counted, California!”

They have a new logo too.

Announcements, Committees, Countywide Outreach, Miscellaneous

Visualizing America with Census Data

February 22, 2018

This is another mapping tool from the Census Bureau that focuses on profiles of states, counties, and census tracts in infographic format: https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/engagement.html

Infographic based.  The data is essentially the same as the data in the Census Bureau’s ROAM mapping tool, but this tool displays the data in an easy-to-read single-screen image.

However, navigating the map takes a little getting used to.  You have to click on the state (CA, for example), and then hover over the state to bring up the link to see the counties, then hover over that to get the link to census tracts within the county.

This link will be available on the Resources page.

Announcements, Technical

Various Census Programs – Managed by the eGIS Team at ISD

January 25, 2018

Various programs and information about them:

1) BBSP:
Phase 1 of the 2020 Redistricting Data Program is the Block Boundary Suggestion Project (BBSP) being conducted in the first half of 2016. This program is the only chance to weigh in on the smallest Census geography that underpins all other Census geographies – the Census block. Are your block boundaries correct? Are they where you need them to be? Have a say in which boundaries are important to you and your jurisdiction(s) and which are not. California must streamline its blocks as the geography exploded between the 2000 and 2010 Census’ from 533,000 to 710,000 – more than a 33% increase. While this project is of high importance for Redistricting and electoral district purposes, don’t forget the substantial uses of small area data for other data tabulation needs such as for grant writing, neighborhood profiles, etc.
The BBSP is an important part of the geographic preparations for the 2020 Census. California has designed the BBSP to allow its counties the opportunity to provide input about the features that will be designated as boundaries for census tabulation blocks in the 2020 Census. The BBSP also allows counties to submit suggested block boundary changes that may be of use in the post-2020 Census redistricting process or for other data tabulation purposes.
The goal is to receive one geography file from each county on or before May 23, 2016. This means that each county has to designate a point person to facilitate the process (Mark Greninger of the CIO) of receiving input from its jurisdictions. The state liaison must submit all files to the Census Bureau’s Redistricting Data Office by the May 31, 2016 deadline. Please note that this process will be the only opportunity for jurisdictions to review and provide input into the geographic features that the Census Bureau will be using as 2020 Census block tabulation areas.

2) BAS Program:
The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) Program Annually to update their records regarding changes to legal boundaries, names, annexation, and de-annexation. This survey is an important opportunity for L.A. County to report to the Bureau, the correct boundary and legal name within County’s jurisdiction.  What is critical for the success of the Census 2020 data tabulation is the location of roads relative to the tabulation entity boundary. We need to ensure the roads are within the correct entities, so the population and housing will be properly reported. In addition, the Census Bureau will use the updated boundary information to report data from the 2020 Census and estimates from other programs and surveys, such as the Population Estimates Program (PEP) and the American Community Survey (ACS).
The successful implementation of the BAS & Consolidated BAS (County can represent Cities with Agreement) Project and Process are dependent on the accurate and successful completion of the following tasks:

  • Review and update the boundaries for Cities in Los Angeles County.
  • Acquisition of the Compliance Letters from the Cities within Los Angeles County.
  • Completion of the Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) Installation and Training Program.
  • Review and update the location of roads relative to the City boundary to assist the Bureau to report the correct population and housing for each entity for the Census 2020.
  • Collaborate and report the boundary, road name discrepancy findings to each City. Update the city maps accordingly.
  • Accurate submission of the City Boundaries to the Census Bureau by no later than May 31 Annually.

3) LUCA Program:
Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Program is the only opportunity offered to tribal, state and local governments (Counties, Cities) to review and comment on the Census Bureau’s residential address list for their jurisdiction prior to the Census 2020. The Census Bureau relies on a complete and accurate address list to reach every living quarters and associated population for inclusion in the census. The LUCA was authorized by the Census Address List Improvement Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-430).

  • LUCA participation is very important to the 2020 Census:
    (a) Results are used to improve the Census Bureau’s Address List
    (b) Accuracy and completeness of the address list is critical to the accuracy and completeness of the census
  • Active functioning governments can participate in LUCA. These include:
    (a) Federally recognized tribes with a reservation and/or off-reservation trust lands
    (b) States and Counties
    (c) Cities, Towns, Boroughs, or Villages (incorporated places)
    (d) Townships and Towns (minor civil divisions)
  • LUCA can benefit Census data which are used to:
    (a) Apportion seats in the House of Representatives
    (b) Distribute 400 billion annually in federal funds to state and local governments for over 1000 programs
    (c) Provide statistical support to fund community projects, improvements, and enhancements
    (d) Help community plan for future needs
  • How to prepare for LUCA ?
    (a) Submit Contact Information Update Form
    (b) Develop a strategy for the address review
    (c) Access the Census Bureau’s count of residential addresses by census block for the government
    (d) Ensure that the address list contains individual multiunit structure identifiers (Apt 1, Apt 2)
    (e) Identify local address sources such as building permits, E-911 address files, local utility records, annexation records, and assessment or taxation files
    (f) Plan to attend a LUCA Promotional Workshop
  • Confidentiality and Security:
    (a) All LUCA materials including the Census Bureau’s Address List and maps containing structure coordinates (or map spots) are protected under Title 13, U.S. Code
    (b) Signed confidentiality agreements and security restrictions are required to participate in LUCA
  • 2020 Census LUCA Schedule:
    (a) January-February 2017 – Advance Notice mailed to HEOs and other LUCA contacts
    (b) March-June 2017 – LUCA Promotional Workshops conducted
    (c) July 2017 – Invitation and Registration mailed to HEOs of all eligible governments
    (d) October 2017 – LUCA Training Workshops begin
    (e) February-May 2018 – Participants review and update the Census Bureau’s Address List
    (f) August – September 2019 – Deliver Feedback materials
  • April 1, 2020 – CENSUS DAY

4) PSAP Program:
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) Program is to research and submit the changes to census tracts (CT), block groups (BG), census designated places (CDPs) and census county divisions (CCDs) to the Census Bureau.  In 2010, the County was responsible for validating that the Census Bureau has implemented the County’s changes correctly and thoroughly.
During the 2018-2019 timeframe, the County of Los Angeles should have submitted to the Census Bureau with updated Census Tract Boundaries from all the 88 cities in Los Angeles County, using the Census Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) software.

  • Allow participants, following Census Bureau guidelines and criteria, to review, update, and delineate new census tracts, block groups, census designated places (CDPs) and census county divisions (CCDs)
  • To define meaningful, relevant census tracts, block groups, CDPs and CCDs to obtain meaningful, relevant small area and place-level statistical data
  • The updated boundaries will frame all the 2020 Census tabulations, and will be used for the American Community Survey (ACS)
  • Data tabulated to these PSAP geographic entities are used by various local, state, and federal agencies and organizations for planning and funding purposes, as well as the private sector, academia, and the public

 

This page to be managed by ISD/ITS/IDD/Urban Research-GIS Section (contact Victor Chen, vchen@isd.lacounty.gov, 562-658-1799 with questions)

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