It’s Census Time!
Have you answered your census yet? Make sure you are counted and complete your 2020 Census now, and you can help by sharing this page, and reminding friends and family to complete theirs.
Every 10 years the government counts every person living in the country. The data collected helps determine how much federal funding our community gets for schools, medical centers, roads, and much more. The census is critical to making our community a better place to live.
There are three easy ways to participate in the census:
- Answer online at www.2020census.gov
- Call toll-free to 844.330.2020 (English) or 844.468.2020 (Spanish). Call centers are open from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Return a paper form via the mail (this option is only available if you received a paper form in the mail)
Remember, you do not need to use the 12-digit ID code that is included with the invitation; you can go online or call the toll-free number and answer the census without the ID number. Also, if you do not self-respond a census worker will be sent to your home later this summer to collect census information so the easy solution is to self-respond now.
I challenge all of you to answer the census now! Let’s get a 100% participation rate for our community!
Currently, about 50% of households in the Morton area have answered the census; this is a long way from a 100% count of the community. To encourage participation, we will have a census information table located outside the Morton County Market this Thursday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Census staff will provide information and help people answer the census on the spot.
You can find more information about the census at www.2020census.gov.
What Is The Census?
Every 10 years, the federal government conducts a population count of everyone living in the United States. Data from the census provide the basis for distributing more than $675 billion in federal funds every year to communities across the country. These funds support vital programs including housing, education, health care, transportation, employment, and public policy.
Some of the funding affected by the census in rural communities include highway planning and construction, federal transit formula grants, formal grants for rural areas, community development block grants, rural rental assistance payments, and water and waste disposal systems for rural communities.
Why Do We Do The Census?
The U.S. Constitution (Article 1) requires that we conduct the census every 10 years. The data are used to determine each state’s number of representatives in the House of Representatives. The census determines a community’s voice in Congress.
When Do We Do The Census?
Census Day is April 1. That is the date on which people should base their answers – people answer the questions based upon where they live April 1 or where they live the majority of the time. While some of our operations have been postponed as a result of the COVID-19 virus, Census Day is still April 1.
Are My Answers Confidential?
Yes. Federal law, specifically Title 13, prohibits the Census Bureau from releasing personal information collected by the census for 72 years. Every Census Bureau employee takes a life-time oath not to release personal information.
Need More Information?
You can find additional information, fact sheets, and promotional materials about the census at www.2020census.gov.