WHAT IS THE 2020 CENSUS?

Need-to-knows about the 2020 Census:

  • It is a count of every person living in the U.S. as of April 1, 2020
  • The U.S. Constitution requires a census every 10 years.
  • Census responses determine how more than $675 billion in federal funds are distributed to states, counties, and local communities over the next 10 years.
  • Census responses are used to determine how many seats in the House of Representatives are apportioned to each state for the next 10 years.
  • Texas stands to gain 2-4 seats in the House, depending on Census responses!
  • Federal law protects census responses. Answers can only be used to produce statistics. Census data is confidential for 72 years.
  • This year, there will be 3 ways to respond to the 2020 Census – online, by phone, or by paper questionnaire.
  • Census Takers will follow up only at households who have not self-responded online, by phone, or by paper questionnaire.

 

HOW TO RESPOND TO THE 2020 CENSUS

You can respond to the household 1 of 3 ways:

  1. Respond online at 2020census.gov. For more detailed instructions on how to complete the Census online, check out this 10 minute video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCM0XrSynFw&t=7s
  2. Respond by phone:
    1. English: 844-330-2020
    2. Spanish: 844-468-2020
    3. For other languages, click the link: https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html
  3. Respond by paper questionnaire:
    1. Households that don’t self-respond by the beginning of April will receive a paper questionnaire in the mail.
    2. When responding, use blue or black ink to fill in the questionnaire. Do not use a pencil.
    3. When finished, return the questionnaire in the envelope provided. If you have lost your return envelope, please mail your completed questionnaire to:
           S. Census Bureau 
           National Processing Center
           1201 E 10th Street
           Jeffersonville, IN 47132

WHY IS THE CENSUS IMPORTANT?

The information recorded in the decennial census is used for the following things:

  • The report will provide the population counts by state and the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives apportioned to each state.
  • Census data determines how more than $675 billion are spent.
  • When the population is undercounted, jurisdictions don’t receive the funding needed for vital community services.
  • Census data are used to redraw the boundaries of congressional and state legislative districts.
  • Census data help local governments plan for future community needs and services, such as emergency services, schools, hospitals, human services, libraries, transportation, and much more.

WHY IS THE GALVESTON COUNTY FOOD BANK GETTING INVOLVED?

The Galveston County Food Bank, in collaboration with United Way of Galveston County Mainland, will strive to reach the traditionally hard-to-count (HTC) populations, communities and geographic areas of Galveston County to encourage local residents served through these two organizations to participate in the 2020 Census.  

An accurate and complete census is necessary to determine fair allocation of federal dollars for resources, services and infrastructure that support everyday quality of life and in securing current, up-to-date information for establishing future goals for both the Food Bank and United Way and the approximately 100 partnering charity organizations serving Galveston

County’s economically disadvantaged residents. This would entail local, on-the-ground efforts and outreach to clients utilizing services such as pantries, soup kitchens, residential facilities, healthcare facilities, shelters, mobile food fairs or families with children in schools or childcare and summertime programs.

HOW TO BE INVOLVED

Please email Kelly@galvestoncountyfoodbank.org for more information on how to be involved!

If you are interested in employment, please visit https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html.