MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — Uncle Sam wants to know some basic information about area households — information that will dictate how much federal money is allocated to counties for critical services like roads and bridges, schools, hospitals and fire stations.
But statewide, according to government officials on Thursday, just 47 percent of Californians have responded so far to the 2020 U.S. Census.
In Madera County only 39 percent of households have responded either online or by phone to the U.S. Census. In Mariposa County, only 28 percent of the households have completed their 2020 Census forms.
For those who have not responded to the 2020 Census yet, a paper Census Questionnaire should arrive in your mailbox this week.
“The U.S Census Bureau is strongly urging everyone in the Central Valley to respond to the 2020 Census now,” said Marna Davis, a media specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau’s Fresno Region. “Responding by mail, phone or online will minimize the need for a census taker to follow up and visit in person later this year.”
The questionnaire contains nine questions and takes just “minutes” to complete, according to Davis.
Residents of Madera and Mariposa counties can fill out their census report at: 2020census.gov or by calling (844) 330-2020.
Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Census information also determines how hundreds of billions of dollars each year in federal funding are allocated over the next 10 years for services and infrastructure like hospitals, emergency response, schools and homeless and senior services.
