There are three methods through which people can complete the 2020 census -- online at www.2020census.gov, call 1-844-330-2020, or complete the questionnaire mailed to their household. (Photo courtesy U.S. Census Bureau)

Fort Bliss families encouraged to complete 2020 census

By Michelle L. Gordon, USAG Fort Bliss Public Affairs

Around mid-March households across the U.S. received instructions in the mail on how to compIete the 2020 census, which was also when those same communities began sheltering-in-place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The U.S. census takes place every 10 years and historically relies on census takers going door-to-door conducting interviews and gathering information -- a process made significantly more difficult during a global pandemic. 

Fortunately, the U.S. Census Bureau was already set to launch socially-distant methods for completing the 2020 survey, even before the pandemic, according to Jerome Garza, a U.S. Census Bureau assistant regional manager based in Dallas. 

“For the first time ever there are three methods through which people can answer the census questions,” Garza said. “They can go online to www.2020census.gov, they can call on the phone at 1-844-330-2020, or they can complete the questionnaire mailed to their household.”

Regardless of the method, Garza wants people to take action and be counted. 

“The U.S. Census Bureau is the only agency in the United States whose purpose is stated in the Constitution,” he said. “The founding fathers wanted every living person in the newly-created United States of America to be counted so they could be properly represented in Congress.”

In addition to congressional representation, communities also receive funds based on census results. 

Garza said more than $675 billion dollars a year is returned to local communities based on the population recorded in the census. Those monies are used to build community resources, such as hospitals, schools and roads. 

“School districts look at the data to determine the number of kids under the age of 5 who live in an area,” Garza said. “They use it to decide where to build new schools so those buildings are ready when the children turn school age, rather than using portable buildings at existing schools.” 

On the opposite side of the spectrum, he said census statistics are used when planning locations for new hospitals and clinics based on large populations of people over 50, to accommodate their increasing health care needs.

Due to their transient lifestyle, military families may feel they do not need to be counted because they move so frequently. However, Garza wants Fort Bliss families to know they are a critical part of the process of ensuring the El Paso community continues to grow. 

He said, “It’s so important that we count everyone -- including military families -- because by doing so, we are ensuring that roads, retail locations, hospitals and schools are built for future Fort Bliss families. We want good living conditions for them when they are outside of their military duties.”

The census is composed of 10 basic questions for every person living in the household -- name, age, ethnicity, etc., and Garza wants families to know this information is confidential and not shared with any other governmental agency. 

“Once you put it into the census, no one can go in and see it – the IRS, the FBI, military commanders – no one. We do not share that data; we only share statistical numbers.” 

The U.S Census takes place every 10 years between March and July, however, due to COVID-19, the 2020 census has been extended until October 31, 2020. Garza encourages families to go ahead and complete it because it has never been easier. Visit www.2020census.gov or call 1- 844-330-2020. 

“Our military is important and needs to be counted,” Garza said. “You are ensuring that when your brothers and sisters in the military come in after you, the appropriate number of facilities, resources and infrastructure are there for them.”