The 2020 Census is right around the corner! Here’s a quick overview of what it is and why it’s so important to Make Osceola Count.
Everyone counts
The Constitution requires that everyone in the country is counted every 10 years. The census counts every person living in the U.S. once, only once, and in the right place.
It's about fair representation
An accurate snapshot of the population means that communities across the nation receive the funding, services, and business support they deserve and need.
Taking part is your civic duty
It’s a way to participate in our democracy and say, “I COUNT!”The information collected in this census affects how we plan for the future and determines our voice in government over the next ten years.
It impacts education, health and housing
Data collected from the census helps to guide planning efforts for our community, such as where to put schools, hospitals, roads, and other public works. It may also assist with funding for our Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
It funnels dollars to Osceola County.
The distribution of more than $675 billion in federal funds, grants and support to states, counties, and communities is based on information collected through the census.
The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next 10 years. This funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location.
Consider your morning commute: Census results influence highway planning and construction, as well as grants for buses, trains, and other public transit systems.
Or think of your local schools: Census results help determine how money is allocated for programs and grants that support students, teachers and special education.
The list goes on, including programs to support rural areas, to restore wildlife, to prevent child abuse, to prepare for wildfires, and to provide housing assistance for the elderly.
Federal funds, grants, and support to states, counties, and communities are based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race, and other factors. Your community benefits the most when the census counts everyone. People in your community use census data in all kinds of ways, for instance:
The next census is coming in 2020. Counting an increasingly diverse and growing population is a massive undertaking. It requires years of planning and the support of thousands of people.
Ultimately, the success of the census depends on the participation of everyone.
The 2020 Census is essential for you and your community, and you can help.
The U.S. Census Bureau opens 248 area census offices across the country. These offices support and manage the census takers who work all over the country to conduct the census.
Census takers begin visiting areas that have experienced a lot of change and growth to ensure that the Census Bureau's address list is up to date. This is called address canvassing, and it helps to ensure that everyone receives an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census.
The Census Bureau begins counting the population in remote Alaska.
Census Day is observed nationwide. By this date, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. When you respond to the census, you tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020.
Census takers begin visiting college students who live on campus, people living in senior centers, and others who live among large groups of people. Census takers also begin conducting quality check interviews to help ensure an accurate count.
The Census Bureau begins visiting homes that haven't responded to the 2020 Census to make sure everyone is counted.
The Census Bureau delivers apportionment counts to the President and Congress as required by law.
By this date, the Census Bureau will send redistricting counts to states. This information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes.
