2020 Census: Shape your future
Households in the Georgetown area should already have received a mailing from the U.S. Census Bureau in March. It’s not too late to respond. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeline has been extended for census-takers going door-to-door. There is still time to be counted by responding online or by phone.
The mailing you received has information on how you can respond to the Census online or by phone. Or just go to go to 2020census.gov if you don’t have the mailing.
Since the census count of our population affects so much that happens locally, including federal funding and political representation, the City of Georgetown is partnering with the Census Bureau to encourage our residents to participate in the decennial count. The Georgetown Complete Count Committee, including staff from the City, Georgetown ISD, and a number of local nonprofits, is helping spread the word about the 2020 Census and why the census is important.
The census matters here: Census data are used to adjust electoral districts at all levels of government. An accurate count ensures all residents have a voice in how decisions are made. In addition, everyone who is counted represents $1,500 in funding for new highways, special education grants, schools lunches, hospitals, children’s health insurance, community development block grants, housing loans, and more than 100 programs.
Respond online, phone, or mail: The 2020 Census is the first time you can respond online. The mailer you received has instructions for how to respond online. If you can’t find the mailer, just go to census.gov/ and you will see how to respond. You also may respond by phone using a toll-free number included in the mailer. You can call any day from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Eastern Time at (844) 330-2020 for English or (844) 468-2020 for Spanish. Many other languages are available by phone. If the Census does not receive a response online or by phone from your household, then a survey will be mailed to you or a census-taker will leave one at your door.
Required by the Constitution: Everyone living in the U.S. is required by law to be counted in the 2020 Census. The Constitution mandates a count of the population once every 10 years.
Ten questions: The census questionnaire includes 10 simple questions like the name, age, race, and sex, of people who live in your home on April 1. Other questions include whether you rent or own your home and a phone number in case the Census has any questions about your responses.
What the Census won’t ask: The Census will not ask you for your social security number, money or donations, credit card numbers, or citizenship status. If you suspect fraud from a mailer or phone call or someone at your door, call (800) 923-8282 to speak with a local Census Bureau representative.
Answers are confidential: Your personal information is confidential and cannot be shared with anyone, including any government agencies or law enforcement. Your responses on the census cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. The Census uses responses to produce statistics with no identifiable information about you, your home, or your business. Information about individuals is protected by law for 72 years.
Responses are secure: Census responses are safe. Data encryption and two forms of authentication are used for ensure the security of responses.
The census population count is the basis for our representation at the Legislature and in Congress as well as billions of dollars in federal funding. The City aims to make sure everyone gets counted in the 2020 Census. Help to shape your future. You can learn more about the 2020 Census at census.gov/.
