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Census 2020

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The 2020 Census has finished collecting responses.

 

 

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Every 10 years, the Census Bureau counts the entire population of the country and collects demographic information, such as age, race, sex and living situations of each person. The 2020 Census will mark the 24th time the country has counted its population since 1790. The count is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. 

New for the 2020 Census is technology to make it easier than ever to respond to the Census. For the first time, you will be able to respond online and by phone, in addition to by mail. For those who do not have internet access, a paper form will be made available. You may also use the computers at College Hill Library and Irving Street Library to fill out the Census online. All of your information is confidential and safe.
 
Official Census Bureau invitations will be mailed starting Thursday, March 12. Each home will receive an invitation to respond to a short questionnaire. See a sample questionnaire in English and Spanish.

Once you receive your invitation, be sure to respond in person, online, by phone or by mail. When you respond to the Census, you’ll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1.

We ask all residents to “Make Westy Count!”

Both Adams and Jefferson counties will be participating in Census 2020.

 

           

Will the Census be affected by COVID-19? The U.S. Census Bureau is carefully monitoring the coronavirus situation and will follow the guidance of federal, state and local health authorities. Luckily, it has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone, or by mail--all without having to meet a census taker in person! Currently, the planned completion date for data collection has been extended until October 31. However, that date can and will be adjusted if necessary as the situation evolves in order to achieve a complete and accurate count. For more information, please visit the Census Bureau's website.

The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data.

The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

It's also in the Constitution: Article 1, Section 2, mandates that the country conduct a count of its population once every 10 years. The 2020 Census will mark the 24th time that the country has counted its population since 1790.

           

The 2020 Census will provide a snapshot of our nation—who we are, where we live, and so much more.

The results of this once-a-decade count determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives. They are also used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

Over the next decade, lawmakers, business owners, and many others will use 2020 Census data to make critical decisions. The results will show where communities need new schools, new clinics, new roads, and more services for families, older adults, and children.

The results will also inform how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated to more than 100 programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. 

Learn more from the U.S. Census Bureau.

           

There are some easy steps you can take to avoid common frauds and scams, including phising and concerns about home safety.

Avoiding scams online

Phishing is a criminal act in which someone tries to get your information by pretending to be an entity that you trust. Phishing emails often direct you to a website that looks real but is fake—and may be infected with malware.

It is important to know that the Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the 2020 Census. Further, during the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask for:

  • Your Social Security number.
  • Your bank account or credit card numbers.
  • Money or donations.

In addition, the Census Bureau will not contact you on behalf of a political party.

Staying safe at home

If someone visits your home to collect a response for the 2020 Census, you can do the following to verify their identity:

  • First, check to make sure that they have a valid ID badge, with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date.
  • If you still have questions about their identity, you can call 800-923-8282 to speak with a local Census Bureau representative.

Learn more about how to avoid and report suspected frauds and scams.