Detroit To Offer Drive-By Census Kickoff Saturday

DETROIT, MI — The city is hosting a drive-by census kickoff event Saturday with the hope that the event will increase participation. The event will begin at 11 a.m. in the parking lot of Martin Luther King High School, 3200 E. Lafayette Blvd.

The census has an added importance this year, according to officials such as Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who said the extent to which Detroit can quickly recover from the coronavirus crisis directly depends on how many Detroiters fill out their 2020 census form.

“The 2020 Census is a once in a decade opportunity where Detroiters get to tell the Federal Government how much money it will send to support the people of our city,” Mayor Duggan said. “It’s a simple formula —for each person who fills their census form, Detroit gets more money for many of its most important programs. If we don’t fill out our form, Detroit’s money will go to other cities to support their residents.”

As of Thursday, Detroit’s overall Census response rate was less than 50 percent, which could cost the city billions of dollars in federal funding over the next 10 years. Officials said that could greatly impacting the city’s ability to provide many vital services and programs on which residents depend.

Volunteers will drive up to receive Census materials such as kicker-cards, yard signs, Census t-shirts, Census tote bags, a free mask, bottle of hand sanitizer, and other freebies to spread the overall message, “Be Counted Detroit!” There will also be assistance available for individuals who need additional support completing their census online.