It’s time to stand up and be counted! The 2020 Census is coming and the benefits to Davie County and its residents are enormous. During 2015, 132 programs used Census Bureau data to distribute more than $675 billion in funds.
“It is imperative that Davie County has strong participation/representation in the upcoming census. More than half a trillion dollars in federal funds will be distributed to state and local governments through census participation,” said John Eller, Davie County manager.
The Census is a count taken every 10 years of every person in the United States. It is required by the U.S. Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
“The Census will impact many programs in both the public and private sector that impact our children, seniors, and families, including, but not limited to, insurance (including Medicare), food assistance, rental housing, early childhood programs, highways/bridges, college tuition, and school funding — just to name a few,” he added.
“These funding allocations are based on census numbers, so the higher the participation, the better the chance of increased funding at the local level. As a community, we need to work together and encourage our neighbors, employers, businesses, and agencies to participate,” Eller added.
How Does the Census Work?
Census Day is April 1, 2020, but in mid-March, most people will receive a letter asking them to respond.
The 2020 Census is the first to be conducted online. If you can’t complete it online, you can participate by phone or request a paper copy. Instructions for phone and paper options will be part of the census letter. If a household has not responded by the end of April, a census taker will visit the home to collect responses. These in-person visits will begin in May.
Your Responses are Safe!
Your responses will be safe, secure, and protected by federal law. Answers can only be used to produce statistics—they cannot be used against you in any way. The Census will protect your data through the safest and best practices available.
What Will I be Asked?
– How many people are living or staying at your home?
– Whether the home is owned or rented.
– The sex, age, and race of each person in the home.
– Whether a person in your home is of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin. (This information helps federal agencies monitor compliance with anti-discrimination provisions, such as the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act.)
– The relationship of each person in your home.
You will not be asked about your citizenship status.
Eller encourages everyone to participate, “When you participate in the census you are giving your voice and making a stand for a better tomorrow in your community.”
To learn more about the census and how it impacts Davie County, visit www.DavieCounts2020.com