Dear Neighbor,

Today is Census Day!  April 1 is not a deadline, but it is a key reference date for completing the census: when filling out your questionnaire, you will include everyone living in your home on April 1, 2020.

Have You Filled Out Your Census?

It has never been easier to respond to the census.  Your household should have received an invitation in the mail to respond to the 2020 Census in mid-March.  For the first time in our country’s history, you are able to respond by phone or online.  You can also still respond by mail if you prefer.

You can complete the census now by calling 844-330-2020 or by clicking here.

The 2020 Census is Critical

An accurate census count is essential for Texas’ future.  The count informs how more than a trillion dollars in federal funding will be distributed for programs that improve our communities – like health funding, veterans’ programs, and schools.

And not only is census data used to determine federal funding for government services, businesses also use it to decide where to invest and create jobs.

It also determines how many representatives we send to Congress.

You can make a difference in our community by participating in the 2020 Census.  It only takes a few minutes, but the impact will be felt for the next decade.

Language Availability

The census is available in 12 different languages.

There are also 59 non-English language guides and videos (plus American Sign Language) available on 2020census.gov ensuring you can respond in your preferred language.

Census Facts

  • The census occurs once every 10 years: The Constitution mandates that every person living in the U.S. must be counted through the census every ten years, not just citizens.  The 2020 Census is our only chance in the next ten years to get a full and accurate count of our community.
  • Census responses are confidential: The census questionnaire includes basic questions about each person in the home.  Legal protections ensure that data collected during the census is kept confidential and cannot be traced back to any individual.  Census data CANNOT be shared with other government agencies or outside groups.

  • 2020 Census response rates currently lag behind 2010 Census rates: As of this week, the nationwide response rate was 34 percent.  By the same time in 2010, it was 46.5 percent.  The rate of increase day by day is also behind the 2010 rate.  In 2010 the response rate went up on overage by 3 percent a day, in 2020 it is only going up by 2 percent a day.  If these trends hold and in-person outreach remains unfeasible, there will likely be an undercount of hard to count communities. 
  • Filling out the census is quick and easy: The 2020 Census questionnaire is estimated to take about 10 minutes to complete.  I filled mine out today, and it took less time than that! 
Responding to the 2020 Census is easy, safe, and important, and it is key to shaping the future of our community.  Please help encourage your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers to be counted.

Census and COVID-19

As with all things across our region and the country, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken over much of the discussion for how we are moving forward in the face of this challenge.

Census 2020 is no different, but it remains as vital as ever that we encourage everybody we know to be counted.

At the federal level, the U.S. Census Bureau is carefully monitoring the coronavirus situation, following the guidance of federal, state, and local authorities.  They have adjusted their field operations to ensure the health and safety of our communities, while also working to fulfill the Constitutional requirement to complete the 2020 Census.

As we Stay Home, Work Safe, we can also do our Constitutional duty of filling out the census at home.

Questions About the Census?

I want to help make sure everyone in our community is counted.  You can let me know below if you have any questions or concerns about the census.  As with all things, our office is here to help.  You can also call us at the numbers provided below if you have any questions – on this or on any other matter.  We are here to help.

Best wishes, 




 
WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE
1429 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2571
HOUSTON OFFICE
5599 San Felipe Road, Suite 950
Houston, TX 77056
Phone: (713) 353-8680
 
     
 
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