Starting tomorrow, March 12, citizens will be receiving official mail from the U.S. Census Bureau encouraging them “make their mark” and fill out the 2020 Census.
It’s crucial for our city that every citizen in neighborhood gets counted. This not only determines government representation at the local, state and federal levels, it also helps to ensure that Jacksonville gets every dollar in federal funding we deserve.
From babies, to children, to military personnel, college students, and homeless individuals; everyone counts. And for each person that is not counted, Jacksonville loses an estimated $1,500 in federal funding per year. That can have a major impact in a variety of areas. Census counts can determine how much federal funding goes toward things like school lunches; highways and transportation; support for public safety; and families in need.
This count only occurs once every ten years, so its important that we all take this seriously and get it done. Don’t delay.
Over the next few weeks, Jacksonville citizens will start seeing advertisements on television, radio, billboards and the internet to remind them to complete the 2020 Census. We will be paying special attention to areas of town where response rates have been low in the past. We want to make sure that every area of town is properly represented and accounted for, so that every neighborhood can get the support it needs.
And we’re getting help from the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, local Girl Scouts Troops, and others. They will be volunteering to go out into the community to encourage citizens to participate and get counted.
Filling out the Census is quick and easy: It’s only 10 questions and 10 minutes… But it can have a major impact on our city’s future.
The Census is safe. The results are not shared with police, immigration or other outside groups. The Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your information and keep your answers confidential.
The City of Jacksonville is focused on a complete and accurate count for Jacksonville and Duval County. To learn more about our efforts, please visit
www.coj.net/2020Census.
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