It’s Census Day 2020 and we’re asking the community to do its part in shaping the future of the “Show Me City”. Residents now have an opportunity to participate in the nationwide program that only takes place once every 10 years as required by the U.S. Constitution.
According to officials, all local homes should have received invitations to participate in the survey already. Responses can be provided in three ways: online, by phone, or by mail; the address of record should be where an individual/family lives as of April 1, 2020. To assure as many responses as possible, the bureau will dispatch census takers in the months following to visit households that haven’t completed the questionnaire and conduct in-person interviews.
The survey will be made available in multiple languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Polish, Japanese, Haitian Creole, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Tagalog, French and Portuguese. Online, Census officials have also created a video in American Sign Language and braille and large print guides to assist participants. All responses received in the data collection process will remain confidential.
All MCTX citizens are encouraged to be a participant in the poll as the 2020 Census will:
- Determine how many representatives each state gets in Congress and is used to redraw district boundaries;
- Determine the need for new roads, schools and emergency services;
- Determine services like Medicare, Medicaid, social security and public transportation; and
- Determine where businesses decide to open their doors.
The Census Bureau reports that, “each year, the federal government distributes more than $675 billion to states and communities based on the [survey] data.”
On July 1, 2019 MCTX City Councilmembers unanimously voted to appoint a 2020 Complete Count Committee that will be comprised of residents citywide who will help educate, promote and engage citizens on the initiative and provide vital feedback to staff.
“As one of the most diverse cities in the nation, it is critical that all ‘Show Me City’ residents be properly represented when the Census 2020 is finalized and presented,” said Mayor Yolanda Ford. “So, the more accurate our responses and demographics are, the more our City will stand to benefit.”
Additionally, with more citizens participating and registering, City leaders and managers will have a stronger understanding of how the city has grown since the 2010 Census, when the population was about 67,358. The results will also show how the economy and subdivisions have grown in the last decade as more people choose to make Missouri City home.
For additional information, visit www.2020census.gov.
For more information about Missouri City, please watch the City website: www.missouricitytx.gov, like us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat—@MissouriCityTX and Nextdoor, watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse) or download the MCTX Mobile app (available for free in Google Play and the Apple app store).