Demographic Data

Demographic Data and Community Access

Washington County serves people with many different backgrounds, experiences, languages, abilities, and needs. Understanding who lives in our community helps us provide services that are accessible, responsive, and available to everyone.

Demographic data is information that helps us understand the people and communities we serve. This may include information on race, ethnicity, language, disability, age, gender, income, household characteristics, and other demographics.

Why We Collect and Use Demographic Information

Washington County uses demographic information to understand our community better and identify where people may experience barriers to County programs, services, information, facilities, or opportunities.

Demographic information helps us:

• Understand who is using County programs and services and who may not be reached.
• Identify communities that may experience barriers to accessing County services.
• Determine where language assistance or translated information may be needed.
• Improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
• Understand the needs of people and households.
• Plan community engagement and outreach.
• Improve programs, services, policies, and communication.
• Evaluate whether County services are reaching communities throughout Washington County.
• Meet federal and state civil rights, reporting, program, and funding requirements.

Demographic information is one of several tools we use to make informed decisions about how we serve the public.

Our Internal Demographic Data Sources

Washington County collects demographic information through many of its programs and services. Information may be provided directly by community members or collected as part of providing a County service.

Our internal demographic data sources include:

• Information provided directly by community members, including race, ethnicity, language, income, disability, and other demographic information.
• Language information, including a person’s primary or preferred language and information about their ability to communicate in English.
• Income and household information collected for federal, state, or County programs, including programs related to housing, health and human services, and community development.
• Information entered by the County workforce while providing programs and services.
• Information provided through community partners that assist with County programs or services.
• Information available through shared databases and information systems, including:
  • Homeless Management Information System, which supports housing and homelessness programs.
  • Criminal Justice Information Services and other criminal justice information systems.
  • Medicaid Management Information System and other state health information systems.

The type of information collected and the way it is collected may differ by program or service.

Our External Demographic Data Sources

Washington County also uses information collected by federal, state, and other government agencies. These external sources help us understand community demographics and needs beyond the information collected directly through County programs.

External demographic data sources include:

United States Census Bureau

• American Community Survey

Oregon Health Authority

• Race, Ethnicity, Language, and Disability data (REALD)
• Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity data (SOGI)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

These systems are used to understand public health trends and disease activity.

• Oregon Public Health Epidemiologists' User System (ORPHEUS)
• Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE)

Federal and state required reporting systems

• Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS)
• Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS)
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
  • Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS)
  • Housing and Community Development Information System (HMIS)
  • Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS)

These sources may be used together with County information to provide a more complete picture of the people and communities we serve.

Improving Our Data Practices

Washington County continues to improve how demographic information is collected and used across County programs.

Our goal is to make our data practices more consistent, useful, understandable, and respectful while collecting the information needed to provide services, understand community needs, evaluate access, and meet legal and program requirements.

We also recognize that demographic categories do not always fully reflect how people describe themselves. We will continue to improve our practices as community needs, standards, and requirements change.

Questions, Accessibility or Language Assistance

If you have questions about why demographic information is being requested, you can ask the County program or department that is collecting it.

You can also contact the Office of Access & Opportunity by emailing [email protected] or calling 971-490-8894 if you:

• Need information in another language or need an interpreter.
• Need information in an accessible format.
• Need a disability-related accommodation or modification.
• Have questions about accessibility or language access.
• Believe you experienced discrimination when accessing a County program, service, or activity.
• Washington County can provide information about available assistance and the County’s civil rights complaint process.