2020 US CENSUS Prep

Earlier this year, the Census Bureau announced that a nine county area of West Virginia has been selected to conduct an “End-to-End” Test in preparation for the 2020 Census. The area selected for this test is Bluefield-Beckley-Oak Hill, West Virginia (Includes Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming Counties).

An office will open in Beckley WV in 2017 to manage the census test. Address canvassing occurs in 2017 and Census Day is April 1, 2018.

On Wednesday, November 16 at 10:00 AM in the WV Development Office, there will be a very informal "meet and greet" briefing on the 2018 Census Test, as well as plans for the 2020 Census in West Virginia. If anyone is interested in attending please notify Benjamin Balding:

West Virginia Development Office
Building 6, Conference Room A Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25305-0311

Benjamin.L.Balding@wv.gov

(304) 558-2234 FAX (304) 558-0362

The U.S. Census Bureau is researching modern and cost-efficient methods for the population to exercise its civic obligation to be counted in the 2020 Census. Whether through the internet, telephone, traditional paper questionnaires or in-person visits, the Census Bureau is committed to making the mandatory once-a-decade headcount quick, easy and safe for all to participate.

Why It's Important

Census information affects the numbers of seats your state occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives. And people from many walks of life use census data to advocate for causes, rescue disaster victims, prevent diseases, research markets, locate pools of skilled workers and more.

When you do the math, it's easy to see what an accurate count of residents can do for your community. Better infrastructure. More services. A brighter tomorrow for everyone. In fact, the information the census collects helps to determine how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and services like:

• Hospitals

• Job training centers

• Schools

• Senior centers

• Bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects

• Emergency services