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It’s time for another National Census, and this year we need to spread the word! It is highly important that residents take it upon themselves to complete the Census through one of the available options.

Tioga County has assembled the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee, and Chairman Carl Cox has some updates on the current situation. “We are just over 54% self-response rate,” Carl reported. With 46% of the county’s population not yet accounted for, the committee is providing multiple opportunities to increase participation. “Enumerators are now going door to door. They also have mobile assistance sights that will be in 2-3 locations per week for the next 4-6 weeks.”

In addition to these local measures, the Census Bureau will be emailing and calling non-responsive households, and sending paper forms by mail.

But, why is it so important to complete the 2020 US Census? Any group that receives federal funding is directly impacted by the results of the census. This effect reaches to the fire companies, school districts, hospitals, daycares, and so much more! And, to make it even more crucial, the national census only happens once every 10 years! “For every person missed, there’s $2000 in federal funds that doesn’t come to the commonwealth, the county, the school district, and whatever municipality you live in, combined, for the next 10 years,” Carl explained. The 2020 Census is each county’s opportunity to report the size and needs of their population for the foreseeable future.

A few more facts about the US Census:

• The results help accurately direct and assign billions of federal dollars, AND determine the amount of seats each state is assigned in Congress.
• It’s in the Constitution! Article 1, Section 2 establishes the census as a means to keep track of the needs of the population. This system has been administered every 10 years since 1790.
• Confidentiality is required. Personal information is, by law, not allowed to be released to anyone, including other government organizations.

The deadline for the 2020 US Census is September 30th. In addition to the physical forms provided by mail, Tioga County Residents can complete the form online. Visit my2020census.gov and simply use your address to ensure that your household has been accounted for. Be sure to take the time for this important civic duty, and spread the word to you neighbors, family, and friends!