It’s 2020 and time for the 2020 U.S. Census!
Many people don’t understand what the Census is or what the information is even used for. The U.S. Constitution requires a population count every 10 years. The Census is a survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau (a nonpartisan government agency), that is used to count the number of people in the United States and its territories, as well as gather information about household demographics, income, employment status, and more. Information recorded in the Census is not publicly available for a specific address but only as aggregated data for blocks, tracts, cities, counties, state, and national levels. For those that are skeptical of taking the Census, it asks you less identifiable information than creating a Facebook account. The information gathered per address is confidential and cannot be given out to the public or other government or law enforcement agencies. This Census information is used for many different reasons. Here are a few:
1. Federal and State Funding Allocations for Infrastructure and Community Programs
2. Number of Federal and State Political Representatives for the Windermere Community
3. Population Projections
4. School Capacity Planning
5. Transportation Planning
6. Growth Management
The Census is easier to respond to now more than ever. You can respond online, over the phone, or by mail. Households will receive an invitation from the U.S. Census Bureau to take the survey in the mail as early as March 12th through March 20th. If you do not respond online or by phone, then you will receive a paper Census form in the mail to fill out and return. Please be aware that Census workers may visit or call houses that have not completed the survey. Be vigilant during this time, as scammers can use this to their advantage. Census workers will NEVER ask you for your social security number, so if someone asks you for this information (do not give it out), they do not work for the Census. The Census Bureau is also hiring in many places.
For more information regarding the U.S. Census, how to check the validity of the invitation you received, how to take the survey, how to identify a Census worker, and to apply for a temporary job with the Census, please visit the U.S. Census Bureau website at www.2020census.gov.
You can also contact Brad Cornelius, AICP, the Town’s Contracted Town Planner, at bcornelius@wadetrim.com with questions.