Paper census ballots are being mailed to Orange County households that have not responded to the 2020 census.

For each person who fills out the census — which can be completed online for the first time — Orange County receives $1,800 in both federal and state funding. This can add up to several million dollars for the county government, money used to finance a wide variety of services such as agriculture, schools and the health department.

Orange County still leads North Carolina with a 55.8 percent response rate on the census, narrowly holding an edge over Union County at 55.6 percent.

“To underscore its significance, the US Census is only one of two mandated civilian agencies in the constitution,” Hillsborough Town Commissioner Matt Hughes said. “The other one being the postal service. So that’s how important this is. I encourage everyone to do it. To fill it out. To get it done. And be counted.”

To respond to the 2020 Census, or to learn more information, click here.

If you do not receive paper ballot, call 844-330-2020 to request one or to provide your answers over the phone.

Featured image via the Town of Chapel Hill

Note: 97.9 The Hill has been Chapel Hill and Orange County’s daily source for free local news since 1953. Please consider making a donation to continue supporting important local journalism like this.

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