2020 has sure thrown a few curveballs – one thing is for sure, we need YOU to fill out the 2020 Census! The census is required by the United States Constitution, which calls for an “actual enumeration” once a decade since 1790. Census data is used to distribute billions of dollars in federal funding. For every person who does not take the census, our community stands to lose, on average, $160 per person, per year. Over the course of 10 years, our community could potentially lose $1,600 per person.
That money goes towards important community initiatives, such as funding for schools, community programming, public works, and hospitals. Businesses also use the census data to decide where to build new factories, storefronts, and restaurants. This, in turn, creates more jobs for our community. Acadia Parish Chamber President & CEO Amy S. Thibodeaux explains, “Counting every single person means that we will be able to draw down more federal dollars which will help us match any grants or projects that we are currently working on whether it’s transportation or housing.”
The population data that will be collected from the 2020 Census will also decide things like congressional seats and electoral college votes. Ahead of the census, legislators from the Acadiana and South Louisiana regions are focused on keeping the 3rd Congressional District unified on issues like economic development and infrastructure investments.
Taking the census is quick and simple and will only take about 10-15 minutes to complete. Your information is 100 percent protected and anonymous; it is against the law for the U.S. Census Bureau to release your responses in any way that can identify you or your household. You will only be asked simple questions such as your name, age, sex, and number of people in your household, including children. For the first time, the census is available online and you can take it here: https://my2020census.gov/. Let’s all do our civic duty and take the 2020 Census!
