NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Nashville city officials are urging more people to complete the U.S. Census.
The city has a historically low Census participation rate, according to Fabian Bedne, Planner of Neighborhood Infrastructure for Mayor John Cooper's office.
“The census website allows us to keep track of how well we are doing. Nashville is behind comparable cities," said Bedne.
Metro values the census data because it determines how much federal money the city will receive for a variety of projects.
“During COVID, we got some CARES money. They decided how much money we’re going to get based on the census," said Bedne.
The city's police department, fire department, public works projects and other monetary needs all benefit from census data.
Bedne said there are a number of reasons someone might not want to complete the census. However, trust is a major factor.
“In some cases, people don’t want the government to know where they are or if they are there or if they are not. If they are living in overcrowded conditions and if they are supposed not to be there. But, the government doesn’t use the information from the census to do police searches,” he said.
Census workers won't stop visiting a home because no one is answering. The workers will continue to visit homes where they believe someone lives.
