The 2020 Census concluded on Oct. 15, and the city of Lompoc and community partners report Lompoc had an impressive final self-response rate of 72.9%.

Lompoc’s self-response rate surpassed Santa Barbara County’s self-response rate of 71.8%, the California self-response rate of 69.6%, and the U.S. self-response rate of 66.9%. In addition, Lompoc surpassed its 2010 self-response rate during the last census of 68.5%.

The city worked closely with a number of Lompoc nonprofit organizations and Santa Barbara County to spread the word about the census beginning January 2020 and running through the final day of the census on Oct. 15.

The organizations included: Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization (LVCHO), Santa Barbara County Promotors Network in Lompoc, Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Lompoc Unified School District.

The chamber facilitated a $35,095 grant for community outreach, which was used to promote the importance of the census throughout the Lompoc Valley. Outreach efforts included a vehicle caravan and a bicycle caravan, video and radio messaging, media releases, social media posts and contests, and distribution of printed materials and Lompoc census-branded goodies.

In addition, census-takers visited households that did not initially respond to the census.

The Lompoc community partners involved with census outreach thank the community for participating in Census 2020, helping ensure Lompoc will have access to the resources needed for the next decade.