Across the nation, communities are celebrating Census Day on April 1, a day where all residents are encouraged to take a few minutes and complete the 2020 U.S. Census, if you have not already completed it.
As of March 30, 50.6% of Wheaton households have completed the Census, but we can do better. Let’s make Wheaton’s response rate 100%. Interested in tracking how Wheaton is doing in comparison to other communities, or even which part of Wheaton has the highest response rate so far? You can track how Wheaton is doing on the U.S. Census response rate tracker.
By now, all households should have received at least one letter from the U.S. Census bureau in the mail inviting you to participate. Inside the letter are instructions for how you can complete the census online, by mail, or by phone. This is the first-ever census with an option to complete it online, making it easier than ever to complete in just a few minutes. And, as Wheaton residents continue to stay home under the state’s Executive Order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, now is a great time to complete the census from home.
If you can’t find your letter, it’s no problem:
- To complete your census online (even if you don’t have the original mailing with a code specific to your address), you can visit www.2020census.gov and follow the instructions, starting by clicking on “Respond Now.”
- If you’d prefer to complete the census by phone, call 844-330-2020.
- Residents who do not respond by phone or online will receive a paper census form in the mail at a later date. (Or, if you have your letter and would like to receive a paper census form to complete, the letter contains instructions on how to request it by mail.)
Why Does the Census Matter?
It’s up to all of us to make sure everyone in Wheaton is counted. Here are just a few reasons why it is essential for EVERYONE to be counted:
- Census data determines how federal, state and local funds are distributed. These funds pay for things like education, infrastructure improvements, and public health programs.
- Census numbers also reapportion the House of Representatives, determining how many seats each state receives.
- Boundaries of congressional and state legislature districts are made based on population shifts reported in the Census
Your Information is Safe
When you respond to the census, your answers are kept anonymous. They are used only to produce statistics.
The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. The law ensures that your private information is never published and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court.
You can help shape Wheaton’s future by simply being counted.