The OK, Let’s Count! Census 2020 is now underway throughout the state

Since 1790, the U.S. Constitution had mandated a full count of the population of the United States, under Article 1, Section 2 every ten years.  This mandate includes children, seniors, minorities, immigrants (legal and illegal), tribal communities, homeless, homeowners, renters, students, and workers.

The Census Bureau is legally bound to handle all data confidently, and the answers are not shared with anyone – not the FBI, IRS, ICE or any other agency.

In Oklahoma, the Department of Commerce (ODOC), operates the State Data Center, which is a partner of the U.S. Census Bureau.  The Data Center ensures that Oklahoma citizens, communities, and businesses have access to critical census data.

As we move closer to Census Day, which is set for April 1, we will begin to see more and more promotion of the census.  Because the census is so important to our state as well as to our cities and towns, we want to encourage you to begin promoting it within your own communities for the following reasons and more:

·       Each person counted in the census is worth an estimated $1,675 in federal dollars each year to Oklahoma, which amounts to $16,750 per person counted over the next ten years.

·       Census data will determine how more than $675 billion in federal funds will be distributed to the states throughout the following decade.

·       Federal funds flow down to cities and towns to be used for all types of government services and projects, such as infrastructure, health, social welfare, and education.

·       Census data is used for all types of economic development projects, such as, where to build new facilities, expand existing businesses, build new schools, parks, and roads.

·       The number of people counted in the census determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is used in formulas that distribute billions of dollars in federal funds to states.  Currently, Oklahoma is approximately 100,000 people away from getting additional federal representation in Congress.

By April 1, 2020, every home in the U.S. will receive an invitation to participate in the census.  Once you receive the invitation, you can respond by either phone, online or by mail.

How can your community help to promote the upcoming Census 2020?  Simply by conveying the messages and benefits of the census to all your citizens and groups within your community.  Let them know the direct benefits of completing the census to your community.  The ODOC has provided us with promotional resources, such as the program logo and benefits, that can be located at www.okletscount.org.  All Oklahoma communities and organizations may use this material, at no cost.

Thank you for your consideration of this initiative!