OHIO — So far, 66.9 percent of Preble Countians have self-reported household information for the 2020 Census — 50 percent have done so online, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

In the 2010 Census, 70.4 percent of Preble Countians self-reported, according to Census Bureau data.

On Wednesday, June 3, the U.S. Census Bureau, in coordination with federal, state and local health officials, began to drop off 2020 Census questionnaire packets at front doors of households in Ohio.

This is done in areas where the majority of households do not receive mail at their physical address. The Census Bureau began hand-delivering census materials on March 15 but suspended all field work for this operation on March 18 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Temporary field staff have been trained to observe all social distancing protocols and will wear official government-provided personal protective equipment for their safety and the safety of the public. This operation is contactless and follows the most current federal health and safety guidelines.

The health and safety of Census Bureau staff and the public is always a top priority, according to officials.

The Census Bureau will deliver 2020 Census invitations and paper questionnaires at the front doors of roughly 5.1 million stateside households. This operation is crucial to ensure a complete and accurate count of all communities, which helps guide hundreds of billions of dollars in public and private sector spending per year.

Approximately five percent of households are counted in the Update Leave operation, where census workers will confirm or update a household’s physical location address and then leave a census questionnaire packet. The Update Leave operation does not require interaction between households and a Census Bureau employee and follows the most current federal health and safety guidelines.

People are strongly encouraged to respond promptly to the 2020 Census using the census ID number included in the questionnaire packet. Responding with the census ID or the paper questionnaire helps ensure the best count of their community. People can respond online, by phone or by using the paper form in the packet.

To respond or for more information, visit www.census.gov.