2020 Census The Census is mandated by the US Constitution. The United States has been conducting the Census every ten years since 1790. Census 2020 will be the 24th Census. Data from the Census will be used for the next ten years for many things – including determining New York State’s representation in Congress as well as local districting. Census data is also used for the distribution of about $880 Billion of federal funds to local municipalities according to a December 2018 report from the George Washington Institute on Policy.  The Census Bureau estimates that every person that is not counted equals a loss of approximately $2,500 per year to local municipalities. This means that every 400 people who are not counted equates to a loss of about $1 Million in funding – each year. We need to get everyone living in Sullivan County counted. What does the Census ask The 2020 Census contains simple questions about the number of people in your household and their basic demographic data, along with whether the home is owned or rented. The Census Bureau will never ask you for your Social Security number, money or donations, anything on behalf of a political party, or your bank or credit card account numbers or about citizenship. See why these questions are asked. Confidentiality The Census Bureau is bound by Title 13 of the United States Code. These laws not only provide authority for the Census Bureau’s work, but also provide strong protection for the information they collect. All responses to the Census are confidential, and cannot be shared with any other federal or local government entity, including law enforcement agencies. More information on data protection and confidentiality is available. How to Complete the Census form Completing the Census is simple. There are only ten questions to answer. Every household will receive an invitation to respond the Census in March. This is the first time you will have the opportunity to respond quickly and easily online at 2020census.gov. The Census Bureau will also accept response via phone or mail. The form will be available in Spanish, Chinese (simplified), Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Japanese, with additional support for 59 languages. Additional information is available for completing the Census form. How to Complete the Census Online Want to know how to fill out the 2020 Census online? This is the first decennial census with an option to respond via the Internet. The Census Bureau has posted video language guides on YouTube that serve as step-by-step tutorials for how to navigate the online interface of the 2020 Census. The guides are available in English, Spanish, and 58 other languages. Did you know that you can respond to the Census over the phone? Operators are standing by from 7am to 2am every day. There is a toll free number for your language. Census Response Rates The Census Bureau is releasing data on the percentage of households that have responded to the Census each day. You can view state, county, and Census tract-level response rates on the Census Bureau’s Self-Response Rates Map. Sullivan County Complete Count Committee The Sullivan County Complete Count Committee has been tasked with ensuring all Sullivan County residents are counted. This is a priority for 2020 so the County, Towns, Villages, and Citizens do not lose out on both federal representation and federal dollars. Who to contact For more information, contact Sullivan County Planning Commissioner, Freda Eisenberg, by e-mail at Freda.Eisenberg@co.sullivan.ny.us or by phone at (845)807-0527; Sullivan County Director of Communications, Dan Hust by email at Dan.Hust@co.sullivan.ny.us or by phone at (845)807-0456; Census Coordinator, Saraid Gonzalez by e-mail at sgonzalez@sullivan180.org or by phone at (845)295-2682.