Strengthening Our Communities: The Census And COVID-19

KUAR | By Emily Smith

Published May 27, 2020 at 3:46 PM CDT

Have you completed your 2020 census yet?

Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau strives to get an accurate count of each person living in the United States. But, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional means of census outreach are no longer available.

So how can you ensure your communities are counted during this time of social distancing? Use email, social media and phone calls to remind community members to complete their census online at my2020census.gov, or by calling 844-330-2020. These methods are easy and safe and don't require any in-person interaction.

Experts use census data to respond to public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Complete the 2020 Census and ensure your community can respond and take action for years to come.

Learn more at uaex.edu/census.

Emily Smith

Emily Smith works as a Program Associate for the UA Cooperative Extension on the Community, Professional & Economic Development team. Primarily, Emily works to build capacity for a community visioning program known as Breakthrough Solutions as well as the UA Cooperative Extension’s statewide leadership development program called LeadAR. In addition to working with these programs, she strives to match community development resources with community needs. She is a graduate of The Clinton School of Public Service where she explored how networks are formed and sustained through participation in leadership networks and how these networks impact individuals. Emily values community participation in community and economic development. Reach out to Emily at elsmith@uaex.edu or at 501-671-2138.

See stories by Emily Smith