Your participation matters! The 2020 Census begins in mid-March, and will have a major impact on our community. The census provides crucial data about our area that informs the distribution of billions of dollars in federal funding for essential services such as healthcare, school programs, housing, transportation, and social services. The census also determines the number of decision-makers representing Alameda County.

Starting in March 2020, everyone will be asked to complete the 2020 census online, by phone, or by mail. Responses are confidential and are protected by law. Census 2020 will NOT ask about citizenship status or for information such as Social Security number.

Making sure everyone in our community is counted makes a difference. An undercount means fewer resources for everyone – for every person not counted, our community loses $10,000 over the next 10 years. In the past, families with young children, low-income families, immigrants, and non-native English speaking households have often been undercounted.

Getting a complete and accurate count in 2020 requires everyone’s help. And there are many ways for all of us to play a part. This is where you come in! As trusted messengers of information to patrons and employees, local businesses and employers can play a key role in helping us spread the word and raise awareness that the 2020 Census is easy, safe, and important. Please share this information through your organizations to your employees, contractors, and social media followers. Here is the link to the short video by the U.S. Census describing the program.

 

 

In addition to helping communities get proper funding allocation, data collected from the census is also utilized by businesses. For example, general information about geographic areas is collected through the census efforts, which can help businesses determine where to locate or expand operations and retail. Developers also use the findings to determine where to build new projects. This information will help shape our community for the next decade.

Lastly, if you’re looking for volunteer opportunities for employees, the census is a great program to get involved and help with outreach. If you are interested, email census2020@fremont.gov to learn about current opportunities.

The 2020 Census is more than a population count. It’s an opportunity to shape the future of our community. Thank you for spreading the word!