Titus Braboy with the United States Census Atlanta Regional Office spoke with the Carroll County Board of Supervisors Monday morning in Carrollton. Braboy told the supervisors how important it is to ensure everyone in Carroll County is counted in the upcoming Census and what Supervisors can do to help.
Braboy said in 2000, only 60 percent of residents in Carroll County participated in the Census. In 2010, it decreased to 58 percent.
“That’s significant, it’s very significant,” he said. He also said in 2010, there were over 10,000 residents in Carroll County, but the number had dropped to over 9,000.
“Do I think the numbers are accurate? No, not necessarily and that’s another point. We have to make sure that our numbers are accurate and that everyone is being counted.”
He said there are some areas that are hard to count, but he believes it’s a lack of education, and if the county created a Count Committee, it could help that.
“There are three demographics that are hard to count. The first are children under five. We don’t think to count our little people. The second are minorities and the third are the elderly, especially now since it’s going to be done online.”
He said each supervisors should pick a chairperson that will form the Count Committee, and they will be responsible for getting more people to come aboard, creating subcommittees.
“Some of the people on the subcommittees should be clergymen, business professionals, and influential people in the County and media personnel.”
Braboy said when the Census Portal opens on March 28, it’s like absentee voting. “And Census Day, is like voting day, except your being counted. And the most evasive thing that will be asked is your birthday and your address.”
He said after online counting has closed in Mid-April, those who have not filled out the Census would receive a letter and by the end of April, someone will come to their home to help them get counted.
He said the low count in Mississippi cost us a Congressional seat and the state dropped to four seats. He said it also meant funding and schools being built. He said the government will reallocated $678 billion dollars to the states after the Census has been completed.
Braboy also said how sites like Ancestry.com get their information are from Census from the past. He said once a person’s information has been taken through the Census, it cannot be released until 73 years later, according to the Constitution.
He said there’s a stigmatism connected to the Census that’s not true.
“Some people think that if they fill out the Census, it will cut their assistance and that’s not true. Once we have your information, we don’t release it to anyone.”
