Eastern Queens is leading the borough and New York City in Census response rates, according to recently released data.
The average Census response rate in New York City is 55 percent, while District 23 in eastern Queens has a response rate of 64 percent — the highest in Queens and the second highest in New York City.
District 23 includes the neighborhoods of Bayside Hills, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Little Neck, New Hyde Park, Oakland Gardens and Queens Village.
Councilman Barry Grodenchik, who represents District 23, said he is “pleased to see strong results.”
“An accurate count is critical to the future of our city, so I have been encouraging participation in the 2020 Census across the community since last fall,” Grodenchik said.
The Census determines congressional representation, gives access to hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding, and affects other crucial resources for communities.
To minimize underrepresentation, an issue in the last census in 2010, Grodenchik has made the 2020 Census a priority on his agenda.
The councilman has partnered with local libraries, civic associations, small businesses, schools, community boards and the NYPD to spread the importance of filling out the census.
Grodenchik has set up tabling events and workshops, offering updated information and opportunities to fill out the census onsite; he also has launched an email, text and social media campaign to encourage residents to fill out the census online or by telephone during the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to keep people safe.
Grodenchik’s recent push to get greater self-response rates, which included mobile questionnaire assistance, helped hundreds of people.
The deadline for the 2020 Census is Sept. 30 instead of Oct. 31 and Grodenchik is continuing his outreach efforts, which includes arranging for census representatives to be onsite providing assistance at the following events:
- Face mask distribution on Sept. 9 at 9 a.m. at Key Food, 61-46 Springfield Blvd.
- Queens County Farm Museum tour
- Senior nature walk in Alley Pond Park
The last two events are by reservation only; for more information, call 718-468-0137 or email BGrodenchik@Council.NYC.gov.
