The U.S. Census Bureau does a count of the nation’s population every 10 years and gathers information about where each person lives. That information helps determine how much federal funding is given to cities, counties, states and other entities. These funds and grants are used for schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other projects, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
“[The census] is very important as far as infrastructure is concerned, roads are concerned, representation is concerned,” committee chair Sadaf Haq said.
In addition to funds and grants, the census also determines the reapportionment of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Census Bureau’s goal is that every home in the nation receives an invitation to participate in the 2020 census by April 1. This year, the government agency is providing an option for people to respond online for the first time.
Representatives from local organizations that are part of the Complete Count Committee—including the city of Frisco, Frisco ISD and Frisco Family Services—plan to be at upcoming community events to help educate the population on the need to participate in the census. Chris Leonard, Frisco Development Services senior planner, told the committee that city representatives would be at the Frisco Festival of Colors on March 14 and The Grove Health Fair on April 22.
From May to July, census takers will begin visiting homes that have not responded to the invitations as part of the Census Bureau’s efforts to make sure everyone is counted. •Census Bureau Media Specialist Bianca Gamez said the data gathered helps cities prepare for emergencies, and build schools, roads and hospitals.
“The main goal of our Census mission is to count everyone once, only once and in the right place,” Gamez said via email. “With the growth Frisco has encountered in the last 10 years, our goal is to ensure everyone counts themselves to show the growth spurt it has had.”
