In 2020, U.S. citizens will be asked to participate in the Census, a once a decade event that counts every person living in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. It also does much more, and the data is used in ways just beyond knowing the number of people in the United States.

So, what exactly is the Census, and why is it improtant?

The count is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency. Each home will receive an invitation to respond to a short questionnaire—online, by phone, or by mail.



The Census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and our communities. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on Census data.

The results of the Census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

WCCO political analyst Blois Olson, and sponsor Hamline Univeristy, hosted a conversation around this topic with a roundtable of special guests, including:

Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan

Fayneese Miller, President of Hamline

Hamline University Professor and Author Joe Peschek

Minnesota Census Director Andrew Virden

Adrienne Falcon of Metro State University

Minneapolis Regional Chamber President Jonathan Weinhagen

Minnesota State Demographer Susan Brower

Hamline Student Ray Doss

Listen to the entire Fluence Forum here.

