Participate in the 2020 Census!

One of the most important events taking place in 2020 is something many of us might not think too much about. 

With more than $675 billion in federal funds per year spent on schools, roads, hospitals, public works and numerous other essential programs, it’s important that Lincoln and every community makes sure they provide an accurate count of its people for not only funding purposes but also to accurately divide political representation.

A vast majority, nearly 95 percent of households will receive an invitation in the mail to fill out the 2020 Census, while almost 5 percent of households will receive their invitation when a census worker drops it off. Every household will then have the option to respond online, by mail or by phone.

There will be reminders sent out in the mail through April 27 to those that have not completed the census. The 2020 Census will also be the first to be widely available online, which will hopefully increase the ability to gain an accurate count and increase participation with its ease of use. 

The Counting for Dollars 2020 Project is one entity that is looking to accurately measure just how much the federal government will use census findings to shape the distribution of funding to states and localities across the country. For the fiscal year 2016 alone, The Counting for Dollars 2020 Project found that Nebraska received just under $4 billion through data collected in the 2010 Census. 

Needless to say, it is very important to fill out the census and make the participation levels as high as possible.

The 2020 Census will also be the first to be widely available online, which will hopefully increase the ability to gain an accurate count and increase participation with its ease of use. There will be reminders sent out in the mail up through April 27 to remind those that have not completed the census.

If an accurate count is not obtained and an area is undercounted, it can mean the loss of millions of dollars for these various programs and projects that are important to communities and their residents. Our businesses also use the data collected by the census to decide where to expand businesses with additional jobs, new residential neighborhoods and add stores, offices or plants to further their contribution to local economies. 

While it may seem like a task we take for granted, taking part in the census is vital to many different areas in our city infrastructure, planning and other services that receive federal funding.

The Lincoln Chamber encourages everyone to take the minimal time required to answer the questions on the 2020 Census.