Preparations underway for 2020 Census

Every 10 years, the federal government conducts a population count of everyone in the United States. Data from the census provide the basis for distributing more than $675 billion in federal funds annually to communities across the country to support vital programs – impacting housing, education, transportation, employment, health care, and public policy. They also are used to redraw the boundaries of congressional and state legislative districts and accurately determine the number of congressional seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Responding to the census is not only your civic duty; it also affects the amount of funding your community receives, how your community plans for the future, and your representation in government.

Beginning in mid-March, people will receive a notice in the mail to complete the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau will accept responses online, by phone and by mail. In May, the U.S. Census Bureau will begin following up in person with households that haven’t responded to the census. Basic information will be collected about the people living in your household on April 1, 2020. The goal of the 2020 Census is to count everyone once, only once, and in the right place. Federal funding for each Idaho resident is approximately $1,473, an undercount could be detrimental to the future of our community.

- The Census Bureau will NEVER ask for:

- Social Security number

- Bank or credit card account numbers

- Money or donations

Anything on behalf of a political party

Unfortunately, Boundary County has very high non-response rates. Federal funding for each Idaho resident is approximately $1,473, an undercount could be detrimental to the future of our community.

The information on the questionnaire is protected by Title 13 and Title 26 and held private for 72 years.

You can learn more about the 2020 Census by visiting 2020census.gov

You can also be a Census taker and earn $13-$15 per hour plus mileage. You can apply online at 2020census.gov/jobs or for more information or help applying call 1-855-JOB-2020.