2020 is the the year that everyone in the United States, including the five U.S. territories, is required to complete the census. A census is held every ten years and determines how much federal funding will go into education, hospitals, roads, job creation, and other concerns within a community. Also, it will determine how many seats each state will get from Congress. 

“First of all, I feel people should learn what the census is and what the purpose of it is which is to count each person in the household in the community for the purpose of proper funding,” student Gabriela Lopez said.  

Lopez added, “The benefits of proper funding include more income to help build up the community like construction, libraries, more resources and programs to help all age groups from health to after-school programs. If households do not specify the number of people then that’ll affect the community as a whole by receiving less funding from the census and creating more obstacles for these families.”  

According to the United States Census 2020, people will receive an invitation to their household regarding their census questions to complete it online between March 12-20.  If they have not responded to this email, they will receive a letter reminding them to fill out the census between March 16-24. 

There are numerous reminders throughout this process. If individuals have still not responded to the census, then it will have a postcard reminder between March 26- April 3, a paper questionnaire and letter between April 8-16, and the last postcard reminder between 20-27 before follow up in person. 

According to the U.S. Census 2020, there are three ways to fill out the census. People can complete it online, mail, or through phone. This is the first time in the census history that they will have an online version. 

The following will contain information on the 2020 Census such as number of people in the household, owner/renter, any additional people living or staying there, phone number, name, sex, age, date of birth, Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish Origin, race, whether a person lives or stays in a different location, and relationship to the person in the household. 

Because the census is now available online, many individuals believe it to now be more accessible and easier to complete.

“The census is online for the first time. I feel like it is a much easier access for a lot of people. I’m personally going to educate my parents and my family on what the census is and why it’s important in order to fully and truthfully fill the document,” Lopez said.

According to the Census 2020, they will not ask you information regarding citizenship status, social security number, money and donations, political party, or bank and credit card information. 

Currently, the Census 2020 is hiring temporary part-time positions such as Census Takers, Census Field Supervisors, Recruiting Assistants, Clerk or Office Operations Supervisor in order to help the community fill out the form.

“I am also planning on applying for a job for the census to be one of the people knocking on the doors. Since I speak both English and Spanish, I understand a lot of Latinx communities, parents only speak Spanish or don’t fully understand English. I am going to inform them in English and Spanish if necessary to better assist them understand that this is important for themselves and the community in order to help with funding,” Lopez said.

U.S. Census Bureau Recruiter Sabrina stated, “If people have any questions on the job application, they can call 1-855-JOB-2020 and option 3 that they have to tell their zip code.” 

She added, “They will hire people on March 1st. Later on, they hire more people in the following weeks such as April, May, and June.” 

 In Illinois, the pay for these positions can be anywhere between $17.50 to $29.50 per hour. In Cook County, the pay rate ranges from $26.50 to $29.50. Those hired must be U.S. Citizen in order to apply for the job in the Census. To apply go to 2020census.gov/jobs.