County census deadline Sept. 30

County officials are asking all residents to complete the 2020 Census by Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution as a means of counting the country’s entire population, including residents of its five territories (Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.)

Every U.S. household received the census questionnaire by mail last April, and was offered a variety of ways to complete it. For the first time, respondents could choose to answer online, by phone, or simply by returning the completed survey by mail.

Census information must be submitted by an individual at least 15 years old who can reliably report the number of persons in the household, their age, date of birth, sex, race and ethnicity.

All information collected by the census is strictly confidential — as defined under Title 13 of the U.S. code — and used exclusively for statistical purposes.

The 2020 census does not include a question about citizenship status, and all persons are counted regardless of immigration status. By law, the information collected is not shared with law enforcement. Answers will not affect government benefits, and the Census Bureau will never ask for a social security number, money or donations, anything on behalf of a political party, or bank or credit card information.

In addition to using census results to equitably divide federal monies, local governments use the data to plan for public safety and emergency preparedness, according to a recent press release issued by the County of Sonoma. Businesses may use the data to decide where to build factories, offices and stores, while developers access it to determine where to build homes. Residents may use the census to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality of life and consumer advocacy.

Federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and communities are based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age and race, and responding to the census helps a community get its fair share of the $675 billion that the government sets aside to support schools and hospitals and maintain roadways, public works and other vital programs each year.

Boycott of the census could be costly. Refusal to answer the census questionnaire carries a fine of $100, and the fine for submitting false information is $500.

People who need help completing their census can receive assistance Friday, Sept. 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at El Mitote Food Park, 665 Sebastapol Rd., Santa Rosa.