ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The 2020 Census is the first to be available online, but that hasn’t led to increased response rates in Orange County.
Back in March, the county’s Census Committee created seven internet-enabled kiosks throughout the county where people can quickly fill out their census surveys.
The kiosks were strategically placed in community centers as a safe resource for those without a computer or internet access.
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Census Committee Division Manager Lavon Williams says the kiosks are a key part of their plan to make sure everyone has adequate access to complete their census survey.
“I’ve been able to participate in two other previous census processes, and we were able to do a lot more physical outreach. We were in the community walking, canvassing,” Williams said.
As of this week, the county reports only a 62 percent overall response rate. In unincorporated Orlando, that number falls to 57 percent.
Williams points out how federal CARES Act relief for the county’s rental assistance program, and other direct COVID-19 aid was driven by census data that’s ten years old.
“When we under-count, we under-represent who we are,” Williams adds.
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The community centers are open to anyone who wants to use the kiosk to complete their census.
Each center has staff assigned to help people use the kiosks, and to wipe them clean after each use.
For help with a lost identification number, translation, or any other questions, click here or call (407) 836-9333.
See all seven kiosk locations below:
East Orange Community Center
12050 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL
Hal P. Marston Community Center
3933 W. D. Judge Drive, Orlando, FL
Holden Heights Community Center
1201 20th St., Orlando, FL
John Bridges Community Center
445 W. 13th St., Apopka, FL
Maxey Community Center
830 Klondike St., Winter Garden, FL
Pine Hills Community Center
6408 Jennings Road, Orlando, FL
Taft Community Center
9450 S. Orange Avenue, Orlando.