DeKalb Woefully Lags State and Nation in Household Response to 2020 Census

May 6, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County continues to lag behind the rest of the nation and state in responding to the 2020 Census, with just 45% of households logged so far compared to a national total of 56.6%, which is more than 75 million households and 55.7% in Tennessee as of May 3.

At a 45% response rate, DeKalb County, ranks 78th out of Tennessee’s 95 counties and 11th out of the 14 counties in the Upper Cumberland Region. The final county wide response rate for 2010 was 62.3%.

As for the cities within DeKalb County, Smithville has logged a household response rate to the 2020 census of 52.10%, Dowelltown  48.30%, Alexandria 46.60%, and Liberty 39.70%.

2020 Census Response Rates in the 14 County Upper Cumberland Region are as follows

Upper Cumberland Region 49.1%
Putnam 60.30%
Cumberland 54.40%
Warren 53.30%
Van Buren 52.50%
Cannon 52.20%
White 50.80%
Jackson 49.30%
Smith 49.30%
Overton 48.80%
Macon 47.30%
De Kalb 45.00%
Clay 42.20%
Fentress 41.00%
Pickett 40.70%

“It’s important for local residents to respond to the census survey. It affects their representation within government at the state and federal level and it is the basis of how assistance funds are allocated for roads, highways, infrastructure and more,” said Gabe Powell, Partnership Specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau.

It also affects how funding is allocated to over 100 federal programs, including Medicaid, Head Start and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and informs how billions in federal funding flow to communities every year.

“Just like voting, this is a civic duty for us all,” said Powell.

For the first time this year, the option to submit your data online has been available to American citizens at 2020census.gov. The census can also be completed by phone or mail. Homes began receiving their invitations to respond and ID numbers over a month ago.

The U.S. Census Bureau has announced that it is taking steps to reactivate field data collection operations after June 1. Later this year, the bureau plans to send census takers to visit households that have not yet responded to the census to help them complete their questionnaires.

May 6, 2020
By: Bill Conger

D.C.H.S. Senior Nick Birmingham is dancing on Cloud 9 after his campus audition at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. Competing against 200 students, Birmingham prevailed to win a full tuition scholarship.

Birmingham was only 9-years old when he saw a dance routine in Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” music video playing on a display TV in Walmart.

“I liked how the background dancers were moving and was intrigued by their skills” says Birmingham.

Inspired by the dancers, Birmingham signed up for his first Hip-Hop lesson at The Centre School of Dance in Cookeville during their summer intensives.

“It was more than what I anticipated. It was filled with a bunch of Hip-Hop moves that I thoroughly enjoyed, but it was also filled with glorifying God though dance!”

“Nicholas is a very talented dancer and choreographer,” said Andrea and Caleb Camacho, owners of The Centre School of Dance, and Nicholas’s instructors. “We are honored to have been a part of his journey this far and are excited to see what the future holds for him! We are very proud of him and wish him all the best as he heads to Belhaven.”

In the beginning Nick hesitated because he thought perhaps that it was “too girly” for him.

“What allowed me to move past these inhibitions was that I was surrounded by a bunch of girls, and I loved dance so much that other peoples’ opinions did not faze me the more I invested my time in dance.”

Over the last 8 years Nicky B, his stage name, has expanded his dance repertoire to include Ballet and Modern/Jazz.

“There was a teacher (Ms. Monica) who introduced me to ballet during a production of “The Nutcracker,” and from that moment on, I fell in love with ballet.

“Nicholas Birmingham doesn’t just think outside of the box – he will dance all over it. I love that about him!” says Monica Harris. He has great passion for dance, an exceptional hunger for knowledge and always gives a hundred and ten percent. From the first time I worked with Nicholas, I knew, this young man will do great things wherever he goes. Belhaven will have a true asset in Nicholas Birmingham.”

“As for the dance style “Modern/Jazz,” I loved the worship aspect so much from The Centre that I wanted more,” adds Birmingham.

He joined “The Company” dance group there after signing up for the “Modern/Jazz” class.
Practicing 12 hours over five days each week keeps the senior on his toes working to become better. He can also do musical theater and tap dancing styles.

“The most challenging thing that I am still working on is flexibility. Dance demands flexibility for certain movement, which I did not have when I started Ballet and Modern/Jazz. Dance was a huge learning curve for me and is still challenging because I am constantly learning new techniques every day, which is a wonderful thing.”

“What I love about dance is the friends that I have made and the security of what we do there without being condemned for glorifying God though dance. My emotions are most certainly utilized through dance, and it helps me portray my feelings to the audience so that they understand what the choreography means.”

Birmingham heads to college in the fall to major in dance and minor in business.

“I then would try to run my own studio so that I have the major in my background and the knowledge and the understanding of how to run a business so that I can effectively. run my own dance studio.”

May 6, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Justin Potter Library will host another Facebook Live Story Time on Friday, May 8th at 10:00 AM.

(View video below of recent Story Time)

“We look forward to visiting with everyone and connecting with the children though this special online event,” said Library Director Kathy Hendrixson.

“Please come and join us for this fun filled Story Time. Contact the library at 615-597-4359 for additional information”.

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