Preparations for the 2020 Census are Underway
The momentum is strong as Venango prepares residents for the 2020 Census. Conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, the federal government’s largest statistical agency dedicated to providing current facts and figures about America’s people, places, and economy, census datashapes communities nationwide.
Why We Do It
The U.S. Constitution requires that each decade we take a count— or a census—of the U.S. population. The country has counted its population every 10 years since 1790. Federal law protects the confidentiality of all individual responses the Census Bureau collects.
The results of the census determine your congressional representation and federal funding for states and communities. Every year, more than $675 billion goes toward hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and more. A complete and accurate count is critical, as the results of the 2020 Census will also affect funding allocations for programs and services that we all enjoy, including parks, libraries, social services, and many other vital resources. Census data helps businesses determine if they should stay and grow, relocate here, or leave. An accurate population count impacts all of us.
When You Can Take the Census
Around March 12, 2020, households will receive an invitation in the mail to participate in the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau encourages households to respond early online or by phone, where the Census is available in 12 languages. Should a household not reply within a few weeks, a paper form will be sent via mail. Following the paper form, if a household has not yet responded, a Census Taker will visit the address to collect responses.
Local Jobs
The Census Bureau is looking to hire hundreds of jobs locally. The part-time, flexible positions pay up to $17.50 per hour, depending on the position and the county in which the applicant resides. The goal is to hire local people for local jobs.
Not only are these jobs ideal for seasonal workers, students, retirees, and temporary workers looking for their next gig, but they are critical to the 2020 Census. Information about local Census hiring events can be found at beherevenango.org/events.
Whether completing your census or working for the census, your participation will help to ensure federal funding flows right back here to Venango and stays in our community.
Learn more: visit 2020census.gov and 2020census.gov/jobs and follow the US Census Bureau on Facebook and Twitter.
This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s November 2019 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.