Williamson County kicks off campaign for 2020 census

Williamson County kicked off its 2020 census campaign during an event Feb. 5.

County and city officials including County Judge Bill Gravell, County Commissioner Terry Cook and mayors from the county’s cities gathered to pledge support to getting an accurate account of Williamson County residents.

According to data presented by the U.S. Census Bureau, Williamson County stands to lose approximately $1,500 per person per year for every undercounted individual. Over 10 years, that amounts to $15,000 per person, said Fang Fang, a specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau.

Census figures determine the allocation of funds for 55 federal spending programs, including highway planning and construction, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, very low- to moderate-income housing loans, state Children’s Health Insurance Program and Federal Direct Student Loans, Fang said.

Gravell said the county also receives about $1.2 million annually in community block grant funding, which goes toward roads and projects in the county.

“There is nothing more important that I will do in my time as county judge than the role that I play in Williamson County receiving an accurate census,” Gravell said.

Census counting will begin around March 12 and run through July 31. This year, the census can be completed online, by phone and on paper. All responses should indicate people living in their household as of April 1, 2020, including all children.