California 2020 Census

2020 Census

ReadyNation is an official partner of the California Complete Count Census 2020 Office and will focus on engaging California’s business sector in the decennial count. As a business membership organization, ReadyNation leverages the experience, influence, and expertise of over 2,400 business leaders nationally and 160 in California to promote public policies and programs that build a stronger workforce and economy.

We understand the important role business and its leaders play as trusted community messengers, and having businesses engage with the 2020 Census will encourage hard-to-count segments of the population, like young children, rural households, and minority residents to participate. Businesses with employees, stores, and offices in regions where hard-to-count populations live are especially valuable in helping to ensure a complete count. Join us as we help make certain that all Californians participate in the Census 2020 and get their appropriate share of federal resources.

NOTE: We can appreciate that many companies are in a period of crisis. The Census Bureau has delayed/extended some operations but is still moving forward due to their statutory obligation to provide the President with apportionment counts by Dec. 31.

On Census Day, many voices across the country and California (e.g. companies, faith leaders, non-profits, census initiatives and governmental bodies) will be encouraging residents to complete their census questionnaires.

If your company is planning to support the census, April 1 is a good time to join the chorus of voices encouraging the general public to participate. Below are resources to help your company or organization contribute:

• Census Day Talking Points in Light of COVID-19

• Census Day Language for an Employee Email, Newsletter or Website

• Post a Message on Social Media or a Webpage:

  • Use a graphic from the US Census Bureau and ReadyNation/Business for the 2020 Census.
  • Sample Census Day Twitter and Facebook messages.
  • Post a video. Find examples here.

As trusted leaders across the state, California’s businesses can help achieve a strong 2020 Census by encouraging their employees and/or customers to complete their census questionnaires between March and May 2020. Below are several resources that can help you get started, but sign up for our California Census Business Network to receive the most up to date resources that we are launching:

• Census Toolkit for Business Owners in California
• Census Toolkit for Small and Micro Business Owners in California
• Ready-to-Post Census 2020 Social Media Graphics
• Sample Census Day Twitter and Facebook Messages
• Census Flyer for Your Breakroom or Storefront
• LA County Census Toolkit for Business Owners
• Business Counts: How Business Can Contribute to an Accurate 2020 Census
• Executive Summary of Business Counts (Handout)
• View national census resources for specific communities

NOTE: We recognize that many companies are in a period of crisis. The Census Bureau has delayed/extended some operations by two weeks but is still moving forward due to their statutory obligation to provide the President with apportionment counts by Dec. 31.

MARCH 12-20: Invitations to complete 2020 Census questionnaire online will be mailed

MARCH 16-24: Reminder letters will be mailed

MARCH 26-APRIL 3: A reminder postcard will be mailed

APRIL 1: CENSUS DAY!

APRIL 8-16: Another reminder and hard copy questionnaire will be mailed

APRIL 20-27: Final postcards will be mailed before an in-person follow-up

California’s data-driven economy relies on timely information about the U.S. population and how it shifts and changes throughout the country. The decennial census provides the broadest set of data about residents in the United States that no other body produces.

• Driving Successful Businesses: Census data is critical for helping companies determine where to open a new store, where quality employees are located, and what services and products to offer. Without census information, businesses would be left guessing.

• Investing in a Strong Economy: Census data is used to effectively allocate roughly $800 billion in federal resources that help to strengthen the economy, including resources directed toward education, workforce development, transportation, and housing.

• Strengthening the Business Voice: An undercount in California means the state could lose a seat in Congress, leading to fewer voices to protect California business in Washington.

Check back for upcoming webinars about how business can support the 2020 Census.

• Webinar Recording: Engaging Business for the 2020 Census - A webinar providing a basic introduction to engaging business for the 2020 Census
• Webinar Recording: The Intersection of the 2020 Census and Corporate Social Investments