The U.S Census Bureau has launched its public education and outreach campaign to reach 99 percent of U.S. households and to communicate the importance of responding to the U.S. Census. The “Shape Your Future, Start Here” campaign has been unveiled to demonstrate that responding to the census is easy, safe and important.
Granville County can expect to be included in this massive effort to encourage participation. The campaign is designed to first reach multicultural and historically undercounted audiences (going on now) and will begin reaching general audiences in mid-February. This awareness/education phase continues through March 12 and will be followed by a motivation/participation phase (March 13 – May 20) and a reminder/follow-up phase (May 13 – June 28).
The U.S. Constitution requires that a census of the population be taken every ten years to count everyone who lives in the U.S. as of April 1, 2020 (Census Day). Census data is used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and to inform how billions of dollars in federal funds are distributed to states and local communities for critical public services and infrastructure. This includes planning/funding for health clinics, schools, roads and emergency services.
Census workers are still being recruited for this nationwide effort. Applicants should be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen, as well as having a valid Social Security number and email address. Potential employees must also pass a criminal background check and have access to a vehicle and a valid driver’s license, unless public transportation is readily available. To complete the training process, those hired should also have access to an internet-connected computer. Census takers will be assigned to work in their own communities.
Households can respond to the census as early as mid-March and can submit responses online, by phone or by mail in 13 languages. This is the first year that online responses are being made available.
To learn more about the 2020 census, visit www.census.gov. To apply to be a Census Taker or to learn more about specific application requirements, visit www.census.gov/jobs.
