What the Census Means to All of Us
Every 10 years — required by the U.S. Constitution — an accurate count of our state and county’s population helps ensure we get our fair share of the 675 Billion in tax dollars that the federal government will send out annually for the next 10 years. If even one percent of our residents fails to respond, Texas could miss out on some $300 Million annually for the next 10 years. Our population also determines how many Congressional seats Texas is entitled to and is critical in redistricting.
SPECIAL EVENT
Sirena, the Children’s Mermaid, wants to make sure that everyone is counted during the 2020 Census. Children of all ages THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY are invited
to submit art by the new deadline of April 15 to the San Marcos Public Library Facebook page under the “Because I Count” event , or with their parent’s permission, text it to 512-757-0022 (a Hays County phone). Información en español
Children in three age groups can create original art submitted online
Questions? Contact Hays County Complete Count Committee Coordinator Jessica Mejia at Jessica.mejia@co.hays.tx.us.
Programs including Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, Highway Planning & Construction, Federal Pell Grant, Head Start, National School Lunch, Section 8 Housing Vouchers, WIC, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, Unemployment Insurance, CDBG Disaster Recover Grants, and Assistance to Firefighters are just some of the programs funded by this federal funds received by state and local governments based on population. The Census count also
Hays County has formed a Complete Count Committee which will work with other local committees to make sure everyone understands the Census and all our residents are counted. Our partners in this include cities, businesses, schools, non-profits, League of Women Voters, faith organizations, and others who know the importance of the Census and want to make sure you do, too.
Everyone who lives in Hays County as of April 1, 2020, should fill out a Census form: homeowners, renters, students, and undocumented persons. You should be counted where you live and sleep most of the time. If you live in a group facility, like a dorm, military barracks, or shelter, U.S. Census Bureau employees will work with a representative from your building to make sure you are counted. You may be asked to complete an individual census form. Census employees will count homeless persons.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
The Census does not ask for your residency status or a Social Security Number. The information is confidential and is not shared with other government agencies and is not releasable for 72 years! Want more info? Here it is: Census101
In mid-March, households will begin receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census. You will have three options for responding:
- Online (beginning March 12 – you will be mailed the web link; beware of emails pretending to send it to you – more info)
- By phone (beginning March 12 – you will be mailed the phone number; beware of incoming calls pretending to be the Census Bureau)
- By mail (return by April 1, 2020)
- Remember, there is a 24-hour, multi-language hotline to answer your Census questions.
Just dial 2-1-1.
You will receive mail with the web link and phone number and an ID code to use. If you don’t have the code available, you can still call or complete the web form. You’ll be asked questions to verify the address you are replying for.
If you don’t respond in one of the above ways, a Census worker, identifiable by his/her badge, may knock at your door to assist you with completing it.
How can I be certain the Census worker visiting or calling me is really a Census employee? Here’s what to know: https://2020census.gov/en/avoiding-fraud.html?#
The Census Bureau has forms in many different languages available online.
