As happened with so many things this year, the plan for this year's Census was interrupted. A comprehensive campaign to reach every household in the land remains ongoing well beyond the official Census Day of April 1st. Participating in the Census is an important civic responsibility. Being counted matters for you and for our community. The 2020 Census determines the number of representatives our state will have in Congress.
Once a decade, the U.S. Census Bureau counts everyone living in the United States and its territories. The Census counts everyone no matter where they're from, why they're here, and whether they're documented. The decennial census has tremendous significance for communities across the country. Census data informs congressional representation, the distribution of more than $675 billion in federal funding each year, local government planning, business decisions, and more.
Census data helps determine funding for community programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Section 8 Housing; Pell Grants; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP); and more. These funds and programs are essential to the well-being of our families, our faith community, and our neighbors.
If you haven't already, please respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail. When people complete their census form, they should count everyone living in their home. Responding is quick and easy, and you can complete the census on your mobile device. All responses are confidential, and by law they cannot be used against you in any way. Learn more at: