MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA, Ala. — There is only one month left to complete your 2020 Census form. You have until the end of September to fill it out.
We are six months in and only 61.8% of families in Alabama have filled out the census.
In Madison County, nearly 75% of households have responded, but that still means 25% have not.
City of Huntsville Planner, James Vandiver, said, "Over $675 billion in federal funding every year is tied to the census. Those things are like Medicare, education grants, transportation, just about anything that touches our lives in terms of federal government involvement is tied to the census in some way."
It's not just federal funding. The census also affects representation for Alabama.
"Alabama for one is at risk of losing one of our congressional seats if we do not get an accurate count in the census," said Vandiver.
You can fill out the census by mail, online at 2020census.org, or by calling 844-330-2020.
Census takers are currently going door to door, so if you hear a knock, answer it.
"Census takers will not ask any questions about financial information such as bank accounts, credit cards, social security, anything like that," said Vandiver. "Official census takers also won't inquire about immigration status of residents."
Local leaders are encouraging people to ask family members and friends if they've filled out the census form.
Madison Mayor Paul Finley said, "It sure does not hurt to call or text sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters. You know, there are folks out there who just don't know that that's something that we need to do."
It takes about ten minutes to fill out the form. Only one person per household needs to fill it out.
Click here for more information.
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