The US Constitution requires that every 10 years, the federal government take a count, or a census, of America's population.
We urge all Van Buren residents to respond to the 2020 census. By law, all census information is kept confidential, and the census provides vital information that impacts our community.
- It determines how many representatives each state gets in Congress and is used to redraw district boundaries.
- Communities rely on census statistics to plan for a variety of resident needs, including new roads, schools, and emergency services.
- Businesses use census data to determine where to open places to shop.
- Each year, the federal government distributes hundreds of billions of dollars to states and communities based on Census Bureau data. Arkansas receives nearly $10 billion in federal funds every year, based on census information.
When does the Census begin and how do I fill it out?
The 2020 Census begins in March 2020. Every household will receive a postcard with information about how to complete the census questionnaire. For the first time, the US Census Bureau will offer three ways to respond: internet, telephone, and paper. People can respond in 12 non-English languages over the phone or via the internet.
Click here to view a sample of the 2020 Census questionnaire.
While the next census will be taken in 2020, the Census Bureau is already recruiting to fill important temporary positions. Apply online at 2020census.gov/jobs