March 4, 2020 at 5:21 p.m.
Two thousand years ago, Joseph and Mary, who was about nine months pregnant, were said to have traveled about 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem in the winter to register for the census.
Luckily, the 2020 U.S. Census is not taxing to complete, as it is mailed directly to the door of every residence in the country just every 10 years. For those who do not fill out and mail in the census form by April 1, Census Day, a census taker will come up to three times to attempt to collect the census information.
And though a Roman emperor isn’t forcing anyone to do it, a fine of up to $5,000 can be levied for not completing the questionnaire.
The census seeks data such as who lives in each home. Failing to fill it out can be a detriment to the county, as the data is used to determine how tax dollars are distributed.
“Not being counted leaves money on the table for the community,” said community developer Ami Huffman, who is working with the census bureau on behalf of Jay County.
Huffman first worked with the census in 2010, when the county had one of the highest response rates in Indiana, she said. Having a lot of data allowed the county to have a more accurate “snapshot,” Huffman added, which led to less variance in the margin of error of the county’s estimated population.
A county’s population affects funds received from the state, among other factors.
Census forms are mailed in batches and are due April 1. Ninety-five percent of households will receive the census by mail with the rest having a census taker come directly to their door after the April 1 deadline.
If a census isn’t completed, a census taker will come to that residence three times, after which the non-respondent is subject to a fine.
This year’s census comes with its share of controversy after the federal government tried to add a citizenship question to the form. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that asking respondents if they and the people living with them were legal U.S. citizens was unconstitutional in a 5-4 decision in Department of Commerce v. New York in 2018.
Afterward, a question was added to the census which asks if a person living in the residency is of hispanic, latino or Spanish origin.
Critics say the additional question may lead to a lower response rate. A study by Pew Research Center found that minorities were around twice as likely as Caucasians to say they intend to not complete the census.
Huffman said the government is still looking to hire workers to help administer the census. Part-time and full-time positions are available with a wage at around $18 an hour.
Those interested in working on the census can contact Doug Baker, a census representative based out of Albany, at (765) 744-0287.
Luckily, the 2020 U.S. Census is not taxing to complete, as it is mailed directly to the door of every residence in the country just every 10 years. For those who do not fill out and mail in the census form by April 1, Census Day, a census taker will come up to three times to attempt to collect the census information.
And though a Roman emperor isn’t forcing anyone to do it, a fine of up to $5,000 can be levied for not completing the questionnaire.
The census seeks data such as who lives in each home. Failing to fill it out can be a detriment to the county, as the data is used to determine how tax dollars are distributed.
“Not being counted leaves money on the table for the community,” said community developer Ami Huffman, who is working with the census bureau on behalf of Jay County.
Huffman first worked with the census in 2010, when the county had one of the highest response rates in Indiana, she said. Having a lot of data allowed the county to have a more accurate “snapshot,” Huffman added, which led to less variance in the margin of error of the county’s estimated population.
A county’s population affects funds received from the state, among other factors.
Census forms are mailed in batches and are due April 1. Ninety-five percent of households will receive the census by mail with the rest having a census taker come directly to their door after the April 1 deadline.
If a census isn’t completed, a census taker will come to that residence three times, after which the non-respondent is subject to a fine.
This year’s census comes with its share of controversy after the federal government tried to add a citizenship question to the form. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that asking respondents if they and the people living with them were legal U.S. citizens was unconstitutional in a 5-4 decision in Department of Commerce v. New York in 2018.
Afterward, a question was added to the census which asks if a person living in the residency is of hispanic, latino or Spanish origin.
Critics say the additional question may lead to a lower response rate. A study by Pew Research Center found that minorities were around twice as likely as Caucasians to say they intend to not complete the census.
Huffman said the government is still looking to hire workers to help administer the census. Part-time and full-time positions are available with a wage at around $18 an hour.
Those interested in working on the census can contact Doug Baker, a census representative based out of Albany, at (765) 744-0287.
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