Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau works to count every person in the United States, including everyone living in Minnesota. Planning for the 2020 Census is under way in Cook County and throughout the nation by establishing Complete Count Committees. In 2020 the U.S. Census Bureau will implement new technology to make it easier to respond including the ability to respond online, by phone as well as by mail.
Why respond to the Census?
The data that will be collected by the 2020 Census are critical for states, counties and communities. They will shape political representation, funding of government programs, the flow of business and commerce, and the planning and delivery of services to local communities. The Census has far-reaching effects, holding relevance to many facets of our everyday life in Minnesota.
Representation in Congress is one of the key factors allocated by Census data. In 2010, Minnesota held on to its eighth congressional seat by just over 8,000 people. This fact is significant for two reasons:
1. Population is growing at a slower pace in Minnesota than in southern states. Given that, it is important that we count every individual.
2. Census predicts that nearly 18 percent of people living in Minnesota will not respond to the Census. That is more than 950,000 people.
Census data is also used to allocate federal funding. Of nearly $589 billion in federal program dollars, nearly $15 billion is allocated to Minnesota. This equates to approximately $2,800 per person per year.
Census data is also used for public planning related to schools, roads, hospitals and other public infrastructure, especially as these relate to population patterns, disaster recovery, and our county’s aging population. The Census also determines how many representatives each state gets in Congress and is used to redraw district boundaries. Redistricting counts are sent to the states by March 31, 2021.
What happens to the data collected?
Your information is confidential: The Census Bureau collects data for statistical purposes only.
Once all the data has been collected, the Census Bureau combines your responses with information from other households or businesses to produce statistics, which never identify your household/business or any person in your household/ business. None of the statistics identify you individually.
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