Older Americans have been more likely than other age
group to return their U.S. census forms and make sure they were counted. The
2020 census wants to utilize computers and signing up online, and experts worry
older folks might not want to do online sign up.
The Census Bureau has digitized the 2020 census to
save money. The 2010 census, which cost $10.2 billion, was the most expensive
in history. Taking the census online — at least partially — is projected to
save an estimated $5.2 billion.
Between March 12 and 20, the majority of households
will receive a postcard invitation to respond online to the 2020 census. Those
who don’t answer will then receive the traditional paper form in the mail. If a
household still does not respond, the bureau will send a census taker to knock
on that door to collect the household’s data. People who live in areas
that the bureau has determined are most likely to lack broadband internet
service will receive a traditional paper form in the first mailing.
If you live in a low population rural area, it’s
important you get counted. In 2016 alone, more than $30 billion was distributed
to rural communities from 55 federal programs. These funds went toward things
like home loans, business loans and waste disposal. But such funding comes only
if you and your neighbors are counted.
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