Census 2020 important to Churchill County

Look for census postcards to arrive mid-March -- Submitted by Churchill County Public Information Officer, Anne McMillin --  Churchill County officials encourage all residents to fill out the 2020 Census forms when they arrive in mailboxes next month. “It’s important that Churchill County get its fair share of the $60 billion expected to come into Nevada over the next 10 years from the census data,” said Churchill County Commission Chair Pete Olsen at the county’s census kick-off event on Jan. 27. “It is easy, safe and helps us receive funding for programs like Churchill Area Regional Transportation, or CART, as an example.” Importance Why is the 2020 census important? For a variety of reasons:

• It helps determine political representation in Washington, DC (Nevada received another seat in the House of Representatives based on data collected from the 2010 census)
• Helps determine our allocation of $675 billion in federal funding which meant more than $6.2 billion to Nevada in 2016
• The census is required by the U.S. Constitution
• The census is secure. By law, data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau cannot be shared with any other federal agency including immigration agencies, law enforcement or agencies determining eligibility for government benefits.

Use of census data Census data is used for many purposes including:

• Businesses deciding where to open new stores and what type of services and products to offer
• Developers use it to plan where to build new homes and to revitalize neighborhoods
• Transportation planners use census data to decide on roads and public transit routes
• Local governments use census date to decide where to build schools, libraries and parks.
• Non-profit groups use the date for their grant applications and delivery of services

Census Process Every household will have to option of responding online, by mail or by phone starting in mid-March when postcards will be mailed to homes across the U.S. Most Nevadans, about 80 percent, will receive the invitation to participate in the census via postcard. The postcard will have a code on it for those choosing to participate online or by phone. For those using a P.O. box to receive their mail, a census worker will drop off a paper census form at your residence to be completed by mail or online. The census form is about 12 questions requiring about 10 minutes to fill out and centers around age, ethnicity and those living in your household. The information provided will be valid for 10 years (until the next census in 2030) and offers an accurate description of who we are as a people in addition to helping determine resource allocation. The census will not ask for your:

• Social Security number
• Money/donations/contributions to any cause or agency
• Band account or credit card numbers
• Income
• Political affiliation
• Immigration or citizenship status

Census Timeline March 12-20: Postcard arrives in your mailbox inviting residents to participate online. Some households will also receive a paper form. March 16-24: A reminder letter sent to those who have not responded online. March 26-April 3: A reminder postcard arrives to those who have not responded. April 8-16: A reminder letter and paper questionnaire arrives. April 20-27: A final reminder postcard arrives before a census worker follows-up in-person at your home. For more information on the 2020 Census, go to: https://2020census.gov/       Support local, independent news – contribute to The Fallon Post, your non-profit (501c3) online news source for all things Fallon. Never miss the local news -- read more on The Fallon Post home page.