Citizens urged to fill out census

By Kathy Thomson

Once every 10 years, the United States Census Bureau asks every household to fill out the census questionnaire by mail, online, or by phone, and local officials are requesting that everyone in Shackelford County complies.

“It is so important to get the census turned in to keep our numbers accurate,” said mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery. “Please take time to do that.”

Census invitations began to arrive at the nation’s estimated 140 million households last month. For the first time, nearly everyone will be invited to respond online, by phone, or by mail.

“Invitations are arriving in mailboxes across the country, and everyone will receive an invitation to respond through the mail or from a census worker soon,” Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham said. “We are encouraging everyone to respond once they receive their 2020 Census invitation.”

According to the Census Bureau, the funding decisions influenced by the census shape many different aspects of every community, no matter the size or location.

“Responding to the 2020 Census is easy, safe and important, and it’s key to shaping the future of your community,” Dr. Dillingham said. “The 2020 Census will determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, and influences how hundreds of billions of dollars in public funds are allocated for critical public services like emergency response, schools, hospitals, roads and bridges over the next 10 years.” 

Census results influence highway planning and construction, how money is allocated for the Head Start program and for grants that support teachers and special education, as well as many other government expenditures including programs to support rural areas, to restore wildlife, to prevent child abuse, to prepare for wildfires, and to provide housing assistance for older adults.

April 1 was Census Day, the day that determines who is counted in the 2020 Census and where they are counted. However, it was not the deadline for filing. The census is still open for self-response online at 2020Census.gov, over the phone by calling the number provided in the invitation, and by paper through the mail.

Households not responding online or by phone will receive a paper questionnaire later this month. 

The Census Bureau encourages households to respond on their own to minimize the need for a census taker to follow up with home visits later this year. 

“This is really important with the current health and safety guidance being provided by national, state and local health authorities,” the bureau said in a press release.

Across the entire nation, 45.1 percent of households had completed the 2020 Census by press time this week. Texas numbers were only slightly lower at 40.4 percent, but only 18.5 percent of Shackelford County households had responded.

The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States and takes place every 10 years.

For more information or to look at a sample questionnaire, visit 2020census.gov.