Cleveland ranks last among Ohio’s urban centers in the percentage of households that have completed the 2020 Census. But there is still time to participate before data collection ends Sept. 30.

A full and accurate count helps increase federal funding that flows to the city and region for schools, health care, road construction and other services. It also helps determine the size of our congressional delegation.

The Census can be completed quickly and easily online or by phone. You also can also answer by mail if you still have the form mailed to homes earlier this year. Census takers will follow up with households that do not respond.

Federal law strictly prohibits the Census Bureau from disclosing personal information.

Ohio’s participation rate is 67.3 percent, more than 4 points higher than the national rate. The rate for Cuyahoga County is 63.6 percent. 

Cleveland’s rate of 47.6 percent trails the state’s seven other urban centers. Akron leads with 61.5 percent.

To learn more or respond, go to 2020Census.gov.