5 Things You Need to Know About Census 2020

Every 10 years, the United States works to count its residents. It is incredibly important work – it determines how Boulder Valley is represented locally and nationally and how much money our school district and other important services receive.

The 5 Things You Need to Know

1. Everyone counts. The census counts every person living in the U.S – regardless of age or immigration status. It is important to know that participating in the census is confidential and data provided is protected, by law. LEARN MORE

2. It’s in the Constitution. The U.S. Constitution requires a census every 10 years. The census covers the entire country and everyone living there. The first census was in 1790.

3. It’s about $675 billion. Census data determine how more than $676 billion are spent. It determines how much money goes to vital local programs– including schools, like the Boulder Valley School District, new roads, and emergency services.

4. It’s about fair representation. Every 10 years, the results of the census are used to reapportion the House of Representatives, determining how many seats each state gets. Additionally, after each census, state lawmakers use the results to redraw the boundaries of their congressional and state legislative districts, adapting to population shifts.

5. Census Day is April 1, 2020. You will be hearing a lot more about the Census starting in January. Self-reporting will begin in March and census officials will work to visit places where there wasn’t a response from April through July.

The Boulder Valley School District encourages its families to participate in the U.S. Census. In fact, in September, the BVSD Board of Education unanimously passed Resolution 19-31 to that end.