The 2020 Census and Your Arkansas Community

by Emily Smith - December 20, 2019

You probably never wondered how Census data helped build your local school, hospital, or fire station. You might not realize how the Census helps repair the roads or expand the highways that you travel on your daily commute. What about that new business that just moved into your town? They also used Census data to identify which community to invest in.

Once every 10 years, communities across the nation work together to ensure that every person in every household within in the United States is counted through a coordinated cross-sector collaborative effort known as the U.S. Census.

The U.S. Census Bureau data helps states, counties, and communities secure federal funds and grants that support every facet of life. In addition to providing the basis for distribution of more than $675 billion of federal funds to programs, census data is used by states, counties and communities to make decisions about infrastructure, housing, public schools, public safety and disaster preparedness.

Business and real estate developers rely on this information to determine where to build new offices and homes to improve neighborhoods. This valuable data is also used to determine political representation like the number of congressional seats Arkansas has in the House of Representatives.

Census information is vital to the future growth and development of our state. Within the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, we rely on Census data for research and outreach across all programs areas. It’s important that all people living in Arkansas are counted in the 2020 Census, and the Division of Agriculture can play a vital role in this effort.

Here, you can find valuable information including:

• Census timeline, process, and data security
• Community Outreach and communication strategies
• Census questionnaire templates
• Various Ways to Report

Starting in January, we will feature a series a social media posts aimed at educating communities about important aspects of the 2020 Census like the different ways to participate in the Census and how to avoid fraud and scams.

Mark your calendars for the 2020 Census, which will begin in March, and be on the lookout for more information and tools that can help your community ensure a bright future.