Mid-City Minute: 2020 Census

As you may have heard from local advocates and organizers throughout the community, 2020 is a census year. But you might still be wondering what this really means-why does the 2020 Census count?
Well, let’s start from the beginning. The first US census took place over a year after the inauguration of president Washington and every 10 years since then, a governmental department called the US Census has counted- or at least tried to count, every US resident according to where they usually live.
Okay, so we see where it started, but why does it matter to you, right now- what’s at stake for City Heights residents?
An undercount could mean the loss of funding for key programs that benefit our communities such as schools, nutrition, health, or housing.
It could also mean giving up a seat in Congress.
It determines how district lines are drawn
According to the Public Policy Institute of California, San Diego has some of the hardest-to-count communities in the state with City Heights accounting for about 83,000 of these hard-count-residents. But we at Mid-City CAN, we know that City Heights Counts & that’s why we have to show up and get counted in this 2020 census!
So here are a few important dates for the census.
Between March 12th and 20th, all households will receive either an invitation to fill out the census survey online or a paper questionnaire in the mail.
If you haven’t responded by the 16th, a follow up letter will be sent as a reminder and if you still haven’t responded by the 26th, you’ll get a postcard.
Then finally, the big day- Census Day is on April 1st. After that, if you still haven’t been counted, the US Census will follow up 2 more times before an enumerator visits your home.
None of the information you provide can be used by any government agency OTHER THAN the United States Census Bureau and it will not be used for law enforcement purposes or to determine personal eligibility for benefits.
So there’s really no reason not to be counted for our state, for our city, and for our communities. #CityHeightsCounts!
To learn more check out the resources listed on countme2020.org!