As invitations to fill out the census begin arriving in Orange County residents’ mailboxes this week, local governments are gearing up to kick off the nationwide population count with its own ‘Be Counted’ parties.

An accurate population count means Orange County will receive its fair share of federal funding for schools, hospitals, roads, and other vital programs. Completing the 2020 Census is mandated by law and has been carried out by the U.S. Census Bureau since 1790.

Overall, the census determines how $675 billion dollars of federal funding gets distributed. Data from the census also influences state House and Senate representation decisions over the next 10 years. Every person not counted in the community is a loss of more than $1,800 annually in state and federal funding.

Ahead of Census Day on April 1, the 2020 Census will officially kick off across Orange County with launch parties on Monday, March 16. At these census parties, local residents can ask questions about the census, hear from town officials, enjoy a cupcake, and complete the census on the spot ― whether it’s by hand or via phone or laptop.

This is the first year people can respond to the census electronically.

Census Launch Parties will take place at 11:30 a.m. at Chapel Hill Public Library, noon at the Orange County Main Library and 4:30 p.m. at the RENA Community Center in Chapel Hill.

Outside of the launch parties, March 16 is also the day that more than a dozen Be Counted sites will open in Orange County – giving residents the opportunity to be counted in person at various libraries and community centers.

These local launch parties and Be Counted sites are all geared towards helping residents fill out the census in a timely manner. Carborro Mayor Lydia Lavelle recently spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck about the the importance of filling out the from by national Census Day on April 1.

“Folks should be on the lookout for information in the mail,” Lavelle said. “If you missed that or don’t do that of course there’s an electronic possibility – if not that then you do it after April 1 – but that key is April 1.”

For more information on the 2020 Census, and where you can find your nearest, in-person Be Counted site, visit Orange County Government’s website.

(Photo courtesy of The Town of Hillsborough)

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