It’s Census Time! Have you answered your census yet? Make sure you are counted and complete your census now. Whether you received an invitation in the mail or someone left a package at your house, please answer the census now. If you have not received your invitation yet, don’t worry – the Census Bureau has restarted its field operations and someone will leave a census package at your home soon.
There are three easy ways to participate in the census:
- Answer online at www.2020census.gov
- Call toll-free to 844.330.2020 (English) or 844.468.2020 (Spanish). Call centers are open from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Return a paper form via the mail (this option is only available if you received a paper form in the mail)
Remember, you do not need to use the 12-digit ID code that is included with the invitation; you can go online or call the toll-free number and answer the census without the ID number. I challenge all of you to answer the census now! Let’s get a 100% participation rate for our community! You can find more information about the census at www.2020census.gov.
What Is The Census?
Every 10 years, the federal government conducts a population count of everyone living in the United States. Data from the census provide the basis for distributing more than $675 billion in federal funds every year to communities across the country. These funds support vital programs including housing, education, health care, transportation, employment and public policy.
Why Do We Do The Census?
The U.S. Constitution (Article 1) requires that we conduct the census every 10 years. The data are used to determine each state’s number of representatives in the House of Representatives. The census determines a community’s voice in Congress.
When Do We Do The Census?
Census Day is April 1. That is the date on which people should base their answers – people answer the questions based upon where they live April 1 or where they live the majority of the time. While some of our operations have been postponed as a result of the COVID-19 virus, Census Day is still April 1.
Are My Answers Confidential?
Yes. Federal law, specifically Title 13, prohibits the Census Bureau from releasing personal information collected by the census for 72 years. Every Census Bureau employee takes a life-time oath not to release personal information.
Check Out Your Community’s Response Rate
Want to see how your community is doing in responding to the census? Live data showing self-response rates across the county is available at https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/2020/2020-census-main.html.