The countdown to finish the 2020 Census is on and participation is important to the future programs and services in Gloucester County.
The Census is much more than a headcount. All of the community’s federal funding for the next 10 years depends on the accuracy and completeness of our Census count.
On August 25, from 10 a.m. to noon, Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with Gateway Community Action Partnership will be holding a Census outreach event in Paulsboro.
There will be refreshments, giveaways, food distribution and the opportunity to record your Census response at 809 N. Delaware St., Paulsboro 08066.
“An accurate count of our population means we can assist residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations in Gloucester County,” said Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger. “The Census is safe, easy and extremely important. We only have a limited amount of time to make sure our residents are counted, so fill it out and remind your friends and neighbors!”
Gloucester County is currently ranked number six in the state of New Jersey for our self-response rates. The Census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers and many others use to provide daily services, products and support for our community.
“Every year, federal funding goes to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads and other resources based on Census data,” explained Freeholder Heather Simmons, liaison to the Department of Economic Development. “This year’s data is even more valuable as it will give us the information on what we need to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“For Gloucester County, and counties across the United States, making sure every resident is counted helps to ensure support for health-related programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP, community health centers and helps improve our quality of life,” said Freeholder Jim Jefferson, liaison to the Department of Health and Human Services.
The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. The law ensures that your private information is never published and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court.
Complete the Census online at http://2020census.gov or by calling one of available the hotlines which can be found here: https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html.
For more information on the census, visit www.gloucestercountynj.gov or http://2020census.gov.