WHEREAS, The United States Constitution directs a decennial census count of all persons living in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The decennial Census is the most inclusive civic activity in our country, covering every person; and
WHEREAS, Complete, accurate census data is of critical importance to all residents of Hennepin County for reapportionment and redistricting, program planning and allocation of public and private funds, for equal political representation, fair distribution of federal and state funding, and sound planning and investment in infrastructure, real estate, business development, and public policy and programming; and
WHEREAS, The Census Bureau estimates that 230,075 (23%) Hennepin County residents are at risk of being undercounted; and
WHEREAS, Hennepin County is home to 1.2 million residents inclusive of populations of people who have been disproportionately and historically undercounted, including people of color, renters, low-income households, students, children under 5, non-English speaking people, young adults, native/indigenous people, persons experiencing homelessness and undocumented immigrants, snowbirds, and persons with mental or physical disabilities; and
WHEREAS, The establishment of a Complete Count Committee will provide the opportunity for close coordination and enable us to use our resources most efficiently to focus on all of Hennepin County including, communities that are historically undercounted and/or at risk of being undercounted in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Hennepin County will invite all 45 municipalities and 22 school districts in Hennepin County to join the Complete Count Committee as members; and
WHEREAS, The Hennepin County Complete Count Committee will also collaborate with the Census Bureau and the State of Minnesota to work toward an accurate and complete count.