LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — $6 billion each year for the next 10 years -- that's what's on the line to lose for Nevada if people do not respond to the 2020 Census.
It's money to be used for school lunch programs, education, emergency services, job training, upgrading roads, healthcare assistance programs and so much more.
RELATED: Nevadans encouraged to complete 2020 Census online
WHAT IS THE CENSUS?
The goal is to count everybody once, and only once.
Every 20 years the federal government conducts a population count of everyone in the United States, and uses that data to distribute more than $675 billion a year -- each year for 10 years -- in federal funds to communities across the nation.
It also will determine how many representatives each state gets in Congress, and if more people are counted in the valley this year, Nevada could earn another representative.
CAN MY ANSWERS BE USE AGAINST ME?
No law enforcement agency (not the DHS, ICE, FBI, or CIA) can access or use your personal information at any time.
Data collected can only be used for statistical purposes that help inform important decisions, including how much federal funding your community receives.
In fact, strict federal law protects your census responses.
If any Census Bureau employee discloses census information that identifies an individual, they face a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The 2020 Census has nine questions.
For the first time in its history, the census questionnaire can be filled out online, 24 hours a day, through the U.S. Census Bureau’s website at My2020Census.gov.
MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS
The citizenship question is not on the 2020 Census!
That's perhaps the greatest point of confusion surrounding this year's census, according to people who work for the Census Bureau.
The Census Bureau will NOT ask for:
- Social Security numbers.
- Bank or credit card account numbers.
- Money or donations.
- Anything on behalf of a political party.
- Citizenship status.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
On way to participate is online at My2020Census.gov.
Clark County says it is offering free computer access at several Parks and Recreation Department community centers. Some additional sites will be added during Census Week, March 30-April 3. A complete list of locations and hours of operation is on the Southern Nevada Counts website.
Permanent sites in the County are:
- Cora Coleman Senior Center, 2100 Bonnie Lane
- Hollywood Recreation Center, 1650 S. Hollywood Blvd.
- Parkdale Recreation Center, 3200 Ferndale St.
- Walnut Recreation Center, 3075 North Walnut Road
- West Flamingo Senior Center, 6255 W. Flamingo Road
- Whitney Recreation and Senior Center, 5712 E. Missouri Ave.
- Pearson Community Center, 1625 W. Carey Ave.
The census also can be taken over the telephone.
The Census Bureau is operating toll-free language assistance lines in many languages including the three most common languages spoken in Southern Nevada:
- English (844) 330-2020
- Spanish (844) 468-2020
- Tagalog (844) 478-2020
The Census Bureau also is offering American Sign Language support and has a toll-free Telephone Display Device (TDD) number of (844) 467-2020.
Households that don’t respond early this spring online or by phone will receive a paper questionnaire from the Census Bureau that they can return by mail, followed by census taker in-person visits between May and July
To learn more visit 2020census.gov.
