Eastern Queens Leads Borough In Census Response: Data

DOUGLASTON, QUEENS — A swath of Eastern Queens has the borough's highest self-response rate to the 2020 U.S. Census, recent data shows.

An estimated 66 percent of City Council District 23 residents have filled out the census, claiming the title of the top response rate in Queens and the second-highest across New York City, according to data released by City Council Member Barry Grodenchik, who represents the district.

In District 23 — which includes Bayside Hills, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Little Neck, New Hyde Park, Oakland Gardens and Queens Village — 31 percent of residents are considered to live in "hard-to-count" neighborhoods, based on previous census response rates.

Only City Council District 10 in Manhattan had a higher response rate, at 67 percent, the data shows.

The self-response rate data released by Grodenchik's office, which are organized by City Council district, date back to Aug. 18.

“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. “I am so pleased to see strong results.”

While Eastern Queens was number one in the borough, its self-response rate was still two percentage points lower than its rate for the 2010 Census, according to the data.

Nationally, 65 percent of people have filled out the 2020 Census, one month before the deadline for the constitutionally-mandated count. That rate dips to 59 percent for Queens residents and 58 percent across New York City.

The census, which happens every 10 years, determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and how to spend hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding for schools, roads and bridges, public transportation, hospitals and other critical services.

The city's health department and emergency management officials also rely on census data to prepare for and respond to emergencies like the coronavirus pandemic.

New Yorkers can fill out the census online at 2020census.gov or over the phone by calling 844-330-2020.