Get up: It's Census Day in America

Today, April 1, is Census Day. The day that determines who is counted in the 2020 Census and where they are counted. The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. Responding to the 2020 Census is easy, safe and important, and is key to shaping the future of communities. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and informs legislative district boundaries. They also inform how hundreds of billions of dollars in public funds are allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers to communities for public services and infrastructure like hospitals, emergency services, schools and bridges each year over the next 10 years. 36.2 percent of households across the nation have responded to the 2020 Census since invitations began arriving in mailboxes March 12-20. Response rates are updated in the map daily seven days a week so that the public can see how well their community is doing compared to the nation and other areas. The Census Bureau is strongly encouraging the public to respond to the 2020 Census online using a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. (Source: US Census 04/01/20) The percentage of those Gulf Coast regional states' returned census numbers shows Alabama (37.3%), Florida (35.7%), Louisiana (34.4%) and Mississippi (37.2%). https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020/census-day.html?utm_campaign=20200401msc20s1ccnwsrs&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.