The 2020 Census is just around the corner. April 1st is typically considered “Census Day,” but this year’s Census will be the first intended to primarily be completed online and Census notices will be sent out with instructions concerning how to complete it in March of 2020.
In addition to being mandated in the U.S. Constitution in order to determine the appropriate distribution of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Census is crucial for many other reasons. The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, community and economic development projects, and other resources based on census data. Additionally, many businesses that might be considering building or relocating to our Town, will start their assessment of the feasibility for doing so by turning to the Census for data.
For all of these reasons, it is important that a complete and accurate count of Easton is obtained. The Census Bureau has even quantified the impact and estimates that every person not counted in the Census costs their community $1,825 per year (or $18,250 for the 10 years until the next Census). Easton’s 2010 population was found to be 15,945. If just 10% of our actual population was not counted, our actual population would have been 17,717 and the 1,772 uncounted residents translates to over $3 million per year, or $30 million for the decade that could of, and should of, been directed to our Town.
The Town of Easton is working in coordination with Talbot County, and in fact with all of the Eastern Shore jurisdictions, to develop strategies to ensure that all of our population is counted. Look for Public Service Announcements, press releases, and a presence at special events by members of our Complete Count Committee and our State partners, and please encourage everyone you know to participate. Everyone Counts!
