UPDATE (April 20, 2020) - The Census Bureau temporarily suspended 2020 Census field data collection activities in March. Steps are already being taken to reactivate field offices beginning June 1, 2020, in preparation for the resumption of field data collection operations as quickly as possible following June 1.
In-person activities, including all interaction with the public, enumeration, office work, and processing activities, will incorporate the most current guidance to promote the health and safety of staff and the public. This will include recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing practices.
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Trophy Club, TX (February 05, 2020) – The United States Census of 2020, will be the twenty-fourth United States Census. National Census Day, the reference day used for the census, will be April 1, 2020. This is the first U.S. census to offer options to respond online or by phone, in addition to the option to respond on a paper form as with previous censuses.
The census is required by the Constitution, which has called for an "actual enumeration" once a decade since 1790. The 2020 population numbers will shape how political power and federal tax dollars are shared in the U.S over the next 10 years. Census results also help determine how more than $675 billion in federal funding is allocated to states and communities each year for roads, schools, hospitals (health clinics), emergency services, and more.
The results of the 2020 census will determine things such as:
- The number of seats for each state in the House of Representatives, which mirrors the number of delegates for each state in the Electoral College, for elections in 2022 to 2030.
- State and local officials also use census counts to redraw boundaries for districts like congressional districts (redistricting), state legislative districts, and school districts.
- Dozens of federal programs to help direct funding to state and local areas.
In 2020, thousands of census takers will help to conduct the count. Census takers who verify addresses are called address canvassers. Census takers will attempt to knock on every door in the neighborhood they are canvassing. This is a normal part of conducting the census. Your information is such an important part of the 2020 Census, that if you haven’t responded on your own, they send census takers to help make sure you are counted.
Census takers will visit homes beginning in April to conduct quality check interviews and then in mid-May to help collect responses. If someone visits your home to collect information for the 2020 Census, check to make sure that they have a valid ID Badge with the following:
- Their photograph
- A U.S. Department of Commerce watermark
- An expiration date
Census workers may also carry Census Bureau bags and other equipment with the Census Bureau logo. If you have questions about their identity, you can contact the Regional Census Center to speak with a Census Bureau representative.
TC Police Officers are aware of these guidelines as well and will be working with residents in case they have questions. Depending on the number of responses, the workers could be in neighborhoods as late as July.
For more information about the 2020 Census, visit the www.2020Census.gov website.
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