2020 Census: OCDE kicks off countywide awareness campaign

OCDE is launching a new social media campaign to raise awareness about the upcoming U.S. Census count for local communities.

The department will use its Facebook, Instagram and Twitter platforms to share one weekly fact about the U.S. Census over the next 20 weeks, which is right around the time Orange County households will be asked to respond. The idea is to emphasize the importance of the census, the fact that all information collected must be kept confidential, and that’s it’s easy for families to participate.

Below is the first post on Instagram.

As mandated by the Constitution, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a nationwide population count once every 10 years. Along with determining the number of congressional seats and electoral votes for each state, this data serves as the basis for allocating nearly $900 billion in federal funds for education, housing, public safety and other vital services.

Recognizing the importance of an accurate count for schools and communities, OCDE is among a number of organizations looking to generate awareness in advance of the 2020 census. California is expected to lose about $1,950 per person in annual federal funding as a result of undercounting.

You can find more information and resources at census.gov.