The federal government will conduct the 2020 Census next year and the City of Rockville wants community members to help meet the goal of counting everyone once – and only once – in the right place.
What does the census mean to Rockville?
Participating in the census impacts Rockville. Compiled every 10 years, census data is used by the government to:
- Define representative boundaries for congressional districts, state legislative districts and voting precincts, and for enforcing voting rights and civil rights legislation.
- Determine how billions of dollars in federal funding are distributed. It is estimated that each person not counted by the census costs the state about $18,250 over a 10-year period, for a total of $26.6 billion statewide. This impacts critical funding for programs such as:
- Medicaid.
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps).
- The Children’s Health Insurance Program.
- School construction.
- Emergency preparedness.
- Transportation projects.
How can you help?
- Participate. Completing the questionnaire is important, safe and easy. You may respond online, by phone or by mail. Personal information is legally protected and confidential.
- Work for the Census Bureau. The Census Bureau is seeking over 5,000 applicants in Montgomery County to assist with the census. Jobs will pay $21 per hour. Hours are flexible. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and U.S. citizens. Employees will need a car but will usually work close to home. Census Day is April 1, but early operation address canvassing is already taking place. To apply, complete an application at 2020census.gov/jobs.
For more information about the census in Montgomery County, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/census. For census information and other data about the City of Rockville, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/610/Community-Data-Trends.