With changing schedules and cancelled plans due to the coronavirus pandemic, at least one thing this year is still moving forward: the 2020 Census. Once every 10 years, all people in the United States are counted to provide critical data that helps lawmakers, teachers, and others allocate funds to communities and determine the number of seats for each state in the US House of Representatives.

For the first time, the US Census can be completed online here. It can also be completed by mail or by phone in 13 different languages. The deadline to respond in these three ways has been extended to October 31, but starting August 1, Census takers will begin visiting many homes that have not yet responded (following local public health guidelines).

Organizations across Placer County are working to encourage census participation locally, including the Placer Community Foundation, Placer Collaborative Network, First 5 Placer, Community Development Resource Agency, Health and Human Services, Placer County Library, and Lighthouse Counseling and Family Resource Center.

“Each individual counted in the Census determines the allocation of federal funding for Placer County that impacts our schools and special education, roads, emergency services, hospitals, youth services, parks and planning for other public services; and which is especially critical during times of crisis like the pandemic,” said Michelle Hamil, Philanthropic Services Associate with the Placer Community Foundation. “It also determines our representation, our voice, in government. It is easy to do and, most important, the privacy of all information given is protected by law.”

Three key things to remember:

• The Census is important for updated funding and representation
• The Census is safe
• The identity of responders remains anonymous

“It is our civic duty to fill out the 2020 Census and vitally important. It doesn’t matter who you are, documented or undocumented, your information cannot be shared. Your information is confidential, protected by Title 13 of the U.S. Constitution,” said Gary McDonald, the Executive Director of Lighthouse Counseling and Family Resource Center in Lincoln.

The Census is still every bit as important now as it was before the pandemic and can be especially vital to funding services for those less fortunate in the community. For each person who does not fill out the census, Placer County stands to lose $1,000 per person per year—for 10 years—in federal funding.

Completing the Census is easy and secure and ensures vital resources for people in Placer County.

Note: People living in group quarters, like college student housing (i.e. dorms), nursing homes, residential treatment centers, and group homes, are counted by a group quarters administrator at the location of the group quarters to guarantee they are counted in the 2020 census. No action is required from those individuals.