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Volunteer details upcoming U.S. Census

TRYON—A census volunteer in Tryon detailed the importance of the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census and what compensation volunteers will receive. 

Tryon Town Council met Tuesday and heard from census volunteer Erin Miller. 

Miller said residents will receive a card in the mail and this year the census is asking for residents to complete the questionnaire online. There will be ways to fill out a paper census as well. 

“Once the census is over on April 1 (2020), we will need to count all the people who did not fill out the census,” Miller said. 

She also said the census is done for three main reasons. 

“When they go give a piece of the federal pie, it is based on the census population,” Miller said. 

She also mentioned increased traffic in North Carolina and money received for roads as well as the possibility to gain two more representatives because of North Carolina’s increased population. New businesses and schools also benefit from the census, she said. 

“The census taker is one of the most important positions,” she said. 

Any legal resident can work for the U.S. Census and be compensated $17 an hour plus mileage. Miller said people are needed from May to July 2020 and it can be done part-time. She said the U.S. Census is mobilizing 500,000 people to work for them. 

“For some people it’s not about the money,” Miller said. “It’s not political at all. It’s a civic duty.” 

To work for the census, apply online at 2020census.gov/jobs or call 1-855-JOB-2020 for more information or for help in applying.