Logan County officials are urging area residents to participate and educate themselves about the upcoming U.S. Census that takes place this spring, noting the importance of the historical process that has been conducted in the United States every 10 years since 1790.
In the next month, between March 12 and 20, Logan County residents and individuals across the country will receive invitations in the mail, inviting them to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census by using one of three methods — online, by mail or phone.
The process of this decennial census involves counting every person living in the country once and only once and in the right place, as required by the U.S. Constitution.
An accurate count of individuals is essential to ensuring that municipalities and counties receive the federal dollars and resources that they are entitled to, amounting to approximately $675 billion nationwide, and to help communities to prepare and meet transportation and emergency readiness needs.
“The census determines federal programming, funding and grants,” Logan County Commissioner Joe Antram said Tuesday. “It’s very crucial that all Logan County citizens are counted.
“We encourage participation by each of our residents and invite any questions that people might have about the process. We’ve formed a committee here in the county that is working to ensure that the process goes smoothly.”
Each person not counted in the census can result in a loss of approximately $1,814 per year over the 10-year period, the U.S. Census Bureau reports.
The Logan County Commissioners noted that in addition to helping to secure local funding, the census also ensures that the citizens of Logan County are fairly represented.
The census helps to determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and political representation at all levels of government. After each decade’s census, state officials redraw the boundaries of the congressional and state legislative districts in their states to account for population shifts.
Previous U.S. Census Bureau statistics available at data.census.gov, reports that Logan County has a population of 45,307 people and 18,654 total households, in the county covering 458.3 square miles. The median age of Logan County residents is 40.8, compared to the median age of 37.9 in the U.S.
Following the initial census invitation mailing, individuals should expect to receive a reminder letter in the mail between March 16 through 24.