Cleveland Heights Councilmember Davida Russell challenged University Heights Councilmember Barbara Blankfeld on May 29 to the “Battle of the Census,” a friendly competition to see which city could grow its 2020 Census response rate by 20 percent during the month of June. Although neither City reached the 20 percent increase in one month, Cleveland Heights did have the larger percentage growth. Census results determine which communities will be awarded money for things such as new schools, new clinics, new roads, and more services for families, older adults, and children. Both council members stressed that everyone benefits regardless of who "wins" the competition.
The winning City – Cleveland Heights – will receive a “tree of growth” from University Heights as a prize for outpacing the other City. The date and location for the tree planting is still in the works.