Volusia County Government and community partners will kick off a 2020 Census awareness campaign at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the Emergency Operations Center, 3825 Tiger Bay Road, Daytona Beach.

Volunteers Needed for Census Campaign in Volusia County

Individuals and representatives from cities, businesses, social service agencies and faith-based organizations are invited to attend the meeting and learn how they can help spread the word about the importance of completing census forms. 

Chaired by Volusia County Council members Barbara Girtman and Billie Wheeler, the local committee will include nine subcommittees representing local governments, businesses, colleges and universities, community organizations, early learning, faith-based organizations, housing, farm workers/agriculture, and senior citizens.

2020 U.S. Government Census

Data collected by the 2020 Census will affect how more than $675 billion in federal funds will be distributed to state, local and tribal governments each year. It also will be used to draw state legislative districts and determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives. 

In mid-March, every household in the United States will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. For the first time, they will have the option of responding online, by phone or by mail. 

In 2010, 74% of Volusia County households in Volusia County completed their census forms; this equaled the national response rate. Those who did not respond received visits from census workers, who helped them complete the form. 

Residents are required by law to complete and return the forms by April 1. The Census 2020 form will ask for name, age, gender, race, date of birth, relationship to the head of the household, and whether the respondents own or rent their home. It will not include a citizenship question.

To learn about the U.S. Census, go to www.census.gov/2020census. 

For more information about Volusia County’s Complete Count Committee, visit www.volusia.org/census or contact staff liaisons Brian Rothwell at (386) 736-5920, ext. 12717, or Pat Kuehn at (386) 822-5062, ext. 12934.