
Ricardo Baeza Errazuriz: this is good for all of us. The census tells us who we are and where we are going as a nation, and helps our communities determine where to build everything from schools to supermarkets, and from homes to hospitals. It helps the government decide how to distribute funds and assistance to states and localities. What is the purpose of the census? An accurate count of the population is required by law and serves as the basis for fair political representation. It plays a vital role in many areas of public life. When does the 2020 Census start? While April 1, 2020 is officially Census Day, preparation for the population count starts nearly a decade in advance, and enumeration takes place over several months. The 2020 Census kicks off in January 2020 with the population count in remote parts of Alaska—while the area is frozen and traversable. Why does the census matter? The importance of the U.S. Census to the well-being of children and the strength of their publ...