It's 2020 for those of you who have been hibernating. Every ten years the U.S. Government, specifically the Census Bureau, counts every individual in the United States. You must be counted. You should have, by now, received a mailer or a pamphlet in your door from the U.S. Census Bureau. I hope you didn't throw it away. You're going to need it.
Why should you care about the Census?
The census tells the government how many people exist in the country and where they live. This information is used to determine where funding is needed. This will make a difference in your community. If people in your community are not counted, your community will lose out of potential funding from the government. Your tax dollars coming back to you. So be counted.
Who is required to respond?
Everyone living in the United States and its five territories is required by law to be counted in the 2020 Census. [2020census.gov]
Beware! Don't get scammed. A Census worker will have a valid ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. Census workers may also carry Census Bureau bags and other equipment with the Census Bureau logo. [2020census.gov] Criminals are coming out of the woodwork to steal, rob, rape and murder. Don't just open your door to anyone. That should be a regular practice too. And for grunt's sake, always leave your door LOCKED. This day and age, criminals won't always knock before they attempt to enter.
How else can you participate without opening the door to a Census worker? Online.
Remember the mailer from the Census Bureau I mentioned in the first paragraph? There's a 12 digit code that is specific to your address. You can enter that code when asked online when you go to Census website and start your response by pressing the Respond button. It will step you through the questions.
What are they asking?
There are 12 basic questions mostly just asking names, relationships (father, mother, son, daughter, etc.), ages, genders, type of dwelling and ancestry (country your ancestors are from).
From [2020census.gov]
Overall Timeline
Counting every person living in the United States is a massive undertaking, and efforts begin years in advance. Here's a look at some of the key dates along the way, as they are currently scheduled:
2020
2021
Why should you care about the Census?
The census tells the government how many people exist in the country and where they live. This information is used to determine where funding is needed. This will make a difference in your community. If people in your community are not counted, your community will lose out of potential funding from the government. Your tax dollars coming back to you. So be counted.
Who is required to respond?
Everyone living in the United States and its five territories is required by law to be counted in the 2020 Census. [2020census.gov]
Beware! Don't get scammed. A Census worker will have a valid ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. Census workers may also carry Census Bureau bags and other equipment with the Census Bureau logo. [2020census.gov] Criminals are coming out of the woodwork to steal, rob, rape and murder. Don't just open your door to anyone. That should be a regular practice too. And for grunt's sake, always leave your door LOCKED. This day and age, criminals won't always knock before they attempt to enter.
 |
| A typical Census Worker |
Remember the mailer from the Census Bureau I mentioned in the first paragraph? There's a 12 digit code that is specific to your address. You can enter that code when asked online when you go to Census website and start your response by pressing the Respond button. It will step you through the questions.
What are they asking?
There are 12 basic questions mostly just asking names, relationships (father, mother, son, daughter, etc.), ages, genders, type of dwelling and ancestry (country your ancestors are from).
From [2020census.gov]
Overall Timeline
Counting every person living in the United States is a massive undertaking, and efforts begin years in advance. Here's a look at some of the key dates along the way, as they are currently scheduled:
2020
- January 21: The Census Bureau started counting the population in remote Alaska. The count officially began in the rural Alaskan village of Toksook Bay.
- March 12 - March 20: Households received official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail.
- April 1: Census Day is observed nationwide. By this date, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: 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, 2020.
- April 29 – May 1: The Census Bureau will count people who are experiencing homelessness over these three days. As part of this process, the Census Bureau counts people in shelters, at soup kitchens and mobile food vans, on the streets, and at nonsheltered, outdoor locations such as tent encampments.
- April 16 – June 19: Census takers will work with administrators at colleges, senior centers, prisons, and other facilities that house large groups of people to make sure everyone is counted.
- May 27 – August 14: Census takers will interview homes that haven't responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted.
- December: The Census Bureau will deliver apportionment counts to the President and Congress as required by law.
2021
- March 31: By this date, the Census Bureau will send redistricting counts to the states. This information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes.
This is a year-long process that actually started in January 2019. The bureau takes a full year preparing for the start in 2020. Note the last two dates. These are important. This is where the rubber meets the road.
It seems so simple and at the same time such a pain in the arse. Yes. Anything worth doing is usually a pain in the arse. And this needs to be done. So step up and be counted. It is not optional. It is a requirement of every American citizen. Be proud to be an American. Like voting, perform your American duty. Thank you. Stay safe, wash your hands, don't hoard and help those less fortunate because it's the right thing to do. Remember, someday this Covid-19 thing will be over. Until next time, it'l be sooner than you think, TTFN.
Comments
Post a Comment