Here’s Why The Census Matters to Corvallis
Potholes, bus stops, and housing grants – these aren’t the things we normally associate with the U.S. Census, but that’s what is at stake in Corvallis as the 2020 Census approaches.
The Census happens once every 10 years and provides an opportunity to count every person residing in the United States. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and noncitizens. Census materials will be mailed out later this month, and responses will be collected starting in April.
In 2016 alone, Oregon received more than $13.4 billion in federal assistance based on Census data. A complete and accurate count of Oregon’s population is critical to the future and prosperity of our state as it guides the federal funding Oregon receives for vital community programs and services.
Here in Corvallis, the Census helps decision-makers at the state and federal level deliver local funding to support services that the community relies on each year:
- $4.7 million in highway funds for street sweeping, signal maintenance, striping, sidewalk maintenance, bike path construction, snow and ice removal, and long range transportation planning and engineering.
- $2.4 million in funding for public transportation, including the Corvallis Transit Service, which provides fareless transportation to the Corvallis community.
- $540,000 in community development block grants, which go to fund affordable housing projects throughout the Corvallis community.
- $6,800 in federal grants for bulletproof vests for the Corvallis Police Department.
There’s plenty more, but you get the idea. The Census matters to Corvallis, so be sure to respond when your invitation to participate. For the first time, you can respond entirely online this year. For more information, go to https://www.census.gov.
