April 14, 2020 - The 2020 Census is underway and more households across America are responding every day. Online, phone and mailed self-responses will continue throughout the data collection process. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau is adjusting 2020 Census operations in order to:
- Protect the health and safety of the American public and Census Bureau employees.
- Implement guidance from Federal, State, and local authorities regarding COVID-19.
- Ensure a complete and accurate count of all communities.
Under the adjusted 2020 Census operational plan, field activities would resume after June 1, 2020, as Area Census Offices begin returning to full staff capacity. In-person activities, including enumeration, office work, and processing activities, will incorporate the most current guidance from authorities to ensure the health and safety of staff and the public.
MARCH 28, 2020 — Based on continuing assessments of guidance from federal, state and local health authorities, the U.S. Census Bureau is suspending 2020 Census field operations for two additional weeks to April 15, 2020. The Census Bureau is taking this step to help protect the health and safety of the American public, Census Bureau employees, and everyone who will go through the hiring process for temporary census taker positions.
The Census Bureau continues to evaluate all 2020 Census field operations, and will communicate any further updates as soon as possible.
The 2020 Census is open for self-response online at 2020Census.gov, over the phone by calling the number provided in your invitation, and by paper through the mail.
Holland Township Residents,
This year marks the beginning of the Decennial Census, a constitutionally-mandated enumeration of the population of the United States. Enumeration activities will begin in March of this year, 2020, and are scheduled to be completed by the end of April 2020. A New Jersey Complete Count Commission has been established to develop, recommend, and administer a census outreach strategy to encourage full participation in the 2020 Census. The Commission needs your help to ensure that everyone in our community is counted in 2020.
The decennial census count influences how the federal government distributes approximately $600 billion in funds annually for infrastructure, programs, and services. Census data determines how federal and state funding is allocated to communities, and decisions are made on matters of national and local importance bases, in part, on census data and housing.
Census data also helps determine how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and is necessary for an accurate and fair redistricting of state legislative seats, county and municipal councils, and voting districts.
The 2020 count will be the first one to allow all households to respond online. Paper forms will still be available, and for the first time, 1-800 numbers will be available to give responses over the phone.
To make sure that Holland Township, Hunterdon County and New Jersey are completely and accurately counted this year, 2020, all municipalities are strongly encourage to:
1. Actively encourage residents to complete and mail back their census questionnaires.
2. Post information about the Census 2020 on our municipal websites and on social media (if applicable). Information and materials can be found at the following sites:
• https://www.census.gov/programs-survey/surveyhelp.html
3. Make residents aware of Census 2020 job opportunities:
• https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html
• https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/factsheets/2019/dec/2020-job-opportunities.pdf