Counties Form Working Group to Support Accurate Count in Census 2020

WASHINGTON – With billions of dollars in federal funding potentially hanging in the balance, the nation’s counties are determined to play an active role in ensuring the 2020 Census reflects their full populations.

Toward that end, the National Association of Counties has formed a bipartisan working group to support local efforts to conduct an accurate and complete count.

“Census data informs decisions made in Washington that directly impact counties and our residents,” said Matthew Chase, executive director of the organization. “Counties are central to achieving a complete and accurate census count. With significant federal resources at stake, counties and residents benefit when everyone is counted.”

The group, comprised of association members representing rural, suburban and urban areas, will highlight the importance of county leadership on census outreach.

It will also strategically advise the association and counties nationwide on effective approaches to ensuring that every resident is counted. 

The co-chairs of the working group are Judge Jason Brinkley, of Cook County, Texas, and County Commissioner Stanley Moore, of Cook County, Illinois.

Its members are Lena Fowler, County Supervisor in Coconino County, Arizona; Commissioner George Murdock, of Umatilla County, Oregon; Ilene Shapiro, executive of Summit County, Ohio; and John Wilson, assessor, King County, Washington.

The Census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Census data is essential for national, state and local decision making, including by counties and businesses.

Federal funding is based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race and other factors. As part of the association’s efforts, its member counties are organizing comprehensive outreach and customizing effective local strategies to ensure an accurate count.