WASHINGTON – With billions of dollars in federal funding being apportioned each year based on decennial census results, an accurate, complete count is crucial to county governments and all residents. The National Association of Counties (NACo) today announced the formation of a working group to support local efforts to ensure that the 2020 Census reflects each county’s full population.

The bipartisan working group, comprised of NACo members representing rural, suburban and urban areas, will highlight the importance of county leadership on census outreach. It will also strategically advise NACo and counties nationwide on effective approaches to ensuring that every resident is counted.  

“Census data informs decisions made in Washington that directly impact counties and our residents,” said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase. “Counties are central to achieving a complete and accurate census count. With significant federal resources at stake, counties and residents benefit when everyone is counted.”

The Census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Census data is essential for national, state and local decision making, including by counties and businesses. NACo is focused on the most accurate count for ALL counties.

Federal funding is based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race and other factors. Counties are demonstrating leadership in the lead-up to the census rollout, organizing comprehensive outreach and customizing effective local strategies to ensure an accurate count.

Learn more about the NACo Census 2020 working group and additional resources at www.naco.org/census.

Members of the NACo Census 2020 working group:

Co-Chairs:

• Hon. Jason Brinkley, judge, Cooke County, Texas
• Hon. Stanley Moore, commissioner, Cook County, Ill.

Members:

• Hon. Lena Fowler, supervisor, Coconino County, Ariz.
• Hon. George Murdock, commissioner, Umatilla County, Ore.
• Hon. Ilene Shapiro, executive, Summit County, Ohio
• Hon. John Wilson, assessor, King County, Wash.