Detroit Looks to Increase Census Participation

DETROIT (AP) - An effort is underway to increase participation by Detroit residents in the upcoming 2020 U.S. census.

The city says it will work with community groups to raise awareness about the census and encourage people to be counted. The campaign also wants residents to know that information given to census workers -- including immigration status -- will be kept confidential.

Detroit's census numbers will determine how much federal funding the city will receive for programs like Medicare and Medicaid, food assistance and school funding. The city says Detroit's participation in the census dropped from 70% in 2000 to 64% in 2010.

Mayor Mike Duggan's office says that for each person not counted in the 2020 census, Detroit will lose about $1,800 in federal funding each year over the next decade.

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