Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau counts every person living in the United States and its territories. It's that time again in 2020. This comprehensive count of the population is actually required by the Constitution, and everyone living in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 5 territories is required by law to be counted. During the month of March this year, each home will receive an invitation to respond to a short questionnaire. Responses can be provided online, by phone, or by regular mail.
The Town Council of the Town of Orchid proclaimed the month of March in 2020 as Census 2020 Awareness Month and declared its commitment to support the goals and ideals of the decennial Census of 2020. The Town Council is dedicated to obtaining an accurate and complete count of every resident within its boundaries by participating in the efforts of the Census 2020 Community Action Committee and by trying to reach every resident in the Town to encourage their participation. See more information about Census 2020 below; make sure you're counted and encourage others in the wider community to participate as well.
Why Is the Data Important?
The decennial Census provides a snapshot of the nation, and that data is used in many important ways over the next decade. Listed below are some of the many ways in which Census data shapes our country and our local community. Results will:
- inform how and where hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated
- show where communities need new schools, new clinics, new roads, and many more services important to families, seniors, and children
- help secure funding for hospitals and fire departments
- guide programs to support rural areas, restore wildlife, prepare for wildfires, and respond to other natural disasters
- influence highway planning and construction, as well as grants for buses and other public transit systems
- help determine how money is allocated for the Head Start program and for grants that support teachers and special education
- determine the number of seats each state gets in the House of Representatives
- be used to draw congressional and state legislative districts
Why Is the Data Important?
If you are filling out the census for your address in Orchid, you'll be asked to count all people of any age who live and sleep at this address most of the time. If a person living at this address currently splits their time evenly between multiple addresses over a year, then that person should be counted where he/she is living on April 1, 2020.
In regard to counting people at your address in Orchid, it doesn’t matter whether they are registered to vote here, have a Florida driver’s license, are a U.S. citizen, go to school or work in Florida, own or rent the home at this address, or anything else like that. People also don't have to be related to you to be counted at your address. Bearing that in mind, include the following individuals at your address in Orchid:
- Anyone currently living here who has no other home (even if they have only newly moved in or plan to move out after April 1)
- Anyone who spends most of the time living here, even if they do have another home
- Anyone who splits their time evenly between different homes, but who is staying here on April 1
- Anyone who does not have a permanent home elsewhere and is staying at this address on April 1
Please count everyone living at your address in those categories, including children and babies, or anyone in your care at this address. Don't forget to include people residing in a guest house at your address that fit those categories.
When people aren't counted, it means they miss out on resources for themselves and their communities over the next 10 years. For more information about who to count, be sure to check out the official 2020 Census website.
Data Protection & Privacy
The Census Bureau is bound by law to keep the data collected confidential. This means that the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home, or your business, even to law enforcement agencies. The law ensures that your private data is protected and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. The answers you provide are used only to produce statistics. You are kept anonymous: The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you or anyone else in your home.
Be Counted & Encourage Others To Be Counted Too
The impact on your local community when you are counted is tremendous. In the 2010 Census, Indian River County was estimated to be undercounted; in some areas by as much as 20%. Let's make sure that the 2020 Census gets our community an accurate count. Complete the 2020 Census form for yourself, your children, anyone staying with you, and encourage your neighbors, your friends, and relatives to complete their Census questionnaire as well.
Avoid Scams
Please note that the Census will never ask for Social Security numbers, bank or credit card numbers, money or donations, or anything related to political parties. A sample of the official questionnaire is available from the U.S. Census Bureau.