COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE GETS READY FOR 2020 CENSUS

  

The National Census will take place in April of next year, but Washington County is wasting no time in encouraging all of its residents take part.  Thursday afternoon, members of the local governments from Brenham and Burton, as well as representatives from Faith Mission, BISD, Blinn College and others formed a Complete Count Committee for Washington County.  The committee’s goal is to plan activities that will encourage every household to take part in next year’s census.  They will also spread the word on why completing the census is important and to dispel myths about privacy and the confidentiality of the data collected.

The Federal census is mandated by the constitution and take place every 10 years.  It not only determines the distribution of 675 billion dollars in federal funding but also sets the states representation in congress for 10 years.  In 2010, Texas gained 4 more representatives because of the census.  Cynthia Cruz with the Dallas Regional Census Center reviewed with the group the details about next year’s census.  The census forms will be mailed out next March and recipients have a choice to respond to the 10 questions by mail, by phone, or over the internet.  The Complete County Committee will be will be utilizing the local media, city governments, social media, and public events during the coming months to get the word out about the census.