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4 Critical Reasons to Complete the 2020 Census
The United States Census gives an analytical snapshot of America every 10 years. The Annie E. Casey Foundation provides four reasons why the U.S. census matters and encourages everyone to partake in the 2020 Census.
The census determines where resources go. The census data is used to distribute $1.5 trillion to states in order to fund more than 300 programs, like Head Start, Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. If the census is not completed by the vast majority of citizens, these programs will not have enough funds and will not be able to help families and communities across America.
The census impacts political pull. The government relies on the total number of citizens, noncitizens and overseas federal employees in each state in order to have a fair distribution of political power in all 50 states.
The census helps communities plan for the future. Communities need help from the census to understand what the residents and neighborhoods’ needs are. Community leaders use the census to help their neighborhoods grow.
The census informs other research efforts. Several federal surveys rely on census data, including the Consumer Expenditure Survey, National Center for Educational Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics and many more.
Completing the 2020 Census helps shape the future of America’s children. The census has to be completed by July 31, 2020.