The 2020 Census is set to begin counting residents of Bayonne, according to Mayor James Davis.
Mayor Davis said the Census Bureau will begin sending out invitations in March to every address on its list for everyone to be counted in Census 2020.
“It is very important for all of us to take part in Census 2020,” Davis said in a statement. “We all need to be counted – children, adults, citizens, non-citizens, immigrants and American-born.”
Davis said that citizenship status will not be an issue during the 2020 census.
“There is no question about citizenship on the census form,” the mayor said. “Whatever your citizenship status, the City of Bayonne encourages you to take part in Census 2020.”
Every 10 years, the federal government counts all the residents of the United States and its territories.
According to Davis, the population count determines how many representatives each state will have in Congress. The federal government also uses population figures to help distribute $700 billion in aid to state and local governments.
“The more that Bayonne people get counted, the more money we get from the federal government at the local level,” Davis said. “That money goes to schools, hospitals, roads, social services, public safety, and other programs.”
Make it count for Bayonne
Between March 12 and 20, Bayonne households will receive a mailing from the Census Bureau asking to be counted in Census 2020, according to Davis.
This year, however, there are multiple ways that residents of Bayonne can be counted.
Davis announced that for the first time residents will be able to be counted in the census through the Internet.
Those interested in being counted electronically are advised to follow the instructions next month in the census mailing. For residents who do not have Internet access, computers will be available in the Bayonne Public Library.
Residents of Bayonne may also respond to the census inquiry by phone.
Bayonne households will receive a reminder letter about the Census from the Census Bureau between March 16 and 24.
According to the mayor, if residents have not responded by late March, they will receive a reminder postcard between March 26 and April 3.
After the initial reminders, the Census Bureau will mail the paper census form in April.
Then the Census Bureau will send out a reminder letter and a paper census form between April 8 and 16. The mayor said that the Census Bureau will send a final reminder postcard at the end of April, between the 20th and 27th.
In conclusion of their efforts, the Census Bureau will conduct its door-to-door count of the remaining residents, Davis said. From May to July, census takers will visit homes that have not responded to the census.
“Census 2020 is coming. Stand up and be counted,” Mayor Davis said. “Make it count for Bayonne.”
The mayor stated that help will be available from the Office of the Mayor and the Office On Aging at City Hall, as well as the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation at 22nd Street and Kennedy Boulevard.
Bringing jobs to Bayonne
Bayonne residents interested in working for the U.S. Census Bureau now have the opportunity to apply for office or field positions for Census 2020 that can potentially earn more than $22 an hour.
According to the Census Bureau, 2020 Census workers can bring home a salary of $22 to $24 an hour. The duties of census workers in Bayonne would be to conduct research on behalf of the U.S. Census Bureau.
To work for the Census Bureau, applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old. Bilingual ability is a plus.
The Census Bureau will offer paid training to new employees. Transportation costs to training sessions will be reimbursed. Employees will be paid weekly by the Census Bureau.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
