April 1, 2020, is Census Day. The census is a count of all persons living in the United States that is conducted every 10 years by the federal government and is required by the U.S. Constitution. It is used to determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives, how federal and state legislative districts are redrawn, and the appropriation of federally-funded programs.

Census counts are used in distributing more than $6 billion in federal funds EVERY year in Kansas. This translates to $2,082 per person per year. The money helps fund a variety of programs, including school lunch programs, Head Start programs, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program and Community Development Block grants.

Here's how Douglas County residents will be notified:

• Between March 12 and 20, every Douglas County household will receive a mailed invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Douglas County has been designated as an area where residents are likely to respond online. Because of this, the first letter residents will receive from the U.S. Census Bureau will invite them to complete the Census questionnaire either online or by phone. Instructions will be provided in that first letter.
• March 16-24: Households will receive a reminder letter.

For those who haven’t yet responded, the Census Bureau will send the following: 

• March 26-April 3: A reminder postcard.
• April 8-16: A reminder letter and paper questionnaire will be sent to all those who have not yet responded online or via phone; paper questionnaires must be mailed back to the Census Bureau.
• April 20 - 27: A final reminder postcard.

If the Census Bureau has not received a self-response by the end of April, they will designate the household for in-person follow up. Enumerators (the Census workers who follow up in person) will begin visiting Lawrence residences in May.

More info: dgcoks.org/2020census