We are approaching the once-a-decade national census, which affects your representation in government, determines how much funding your community receives and provides data to help plan for the future.

Why is it important for you to complete the census? Census data:

     — accurately determines how many representatives each state has in Congress and informs the redrawing of congressional district boundaries.

     — is used as the basis for distributing more than $675 billion in federal funds annually to states, counties and communities to support resources such as schools, hospitals and fire departments. 

     — is used to determine the allocation of school Title I funds, the National School Lunch Program and special education grants to states.

     — informs business decisions, policies, community initiatives and consumer advocacy.

     — provides the basis for distributing grants for economic development and inform business decisions, such as local business expansion.

Census information is confidential and, by law, can not be shared with immigration or law enforcement. 

Census day is April 1, 2020. Look for a postcard in the mail, March 2020, with instructions on ways to complete your census information.