It's Time to Count
The Census is a complete count of every single person living in the United States on April 1, 2020, regardless of immigration status, housing status or age. Everyone Counts!
Why You Count
You (and every person living in North Carolina…even the babies)…count for more than $1,600 each a year in funding to support school lunches for North Carolina’s children, medication for North Carolina seniors, affordable housing for North Carolina residents, Federal Pell grants for North Carolina colleges and universities, better and safer roads for North Carolina communities and more!
When you count, key decision-makers have the data they need to make informed decisions on where services should be placed and businesses should be located. This could mean a new school for a community, access to bus services in a neighborhood or a new business in your city or town that will bring more jobs to your community.
It is your right to be counted! The Decennial Census is the backbone of our country’s democracy and is mandated by the Constitution. When you count, you determine the distribution of political power in Congress. North Carolina is projected to gain a congressional seat, increasing its representation from 13 to 14 in the House of Representatives.
Counting the Ways the Census Matters
$2 billion a year in for Medicare
Almost 2 million individuals receive Medicare benefits in North Carolina. North Carolina receives more than $2 billion a year in federal Census guided funding for Medicare.
$42 million a year for small rural businesses
North Carolina’s Business & Industry Guaranteed Loan Program bolsters the availability of private credit by guaranteeing loans for rural businesses. North Carolina receives about $42 million a year in Census guided federal funding to support business loans for small rural businesses.
$759 million a year for federal pell grants
Federal Pell Grants help students pay for college. Unlike loans, Federal Pell Grants don’t need to be paid back. North Carolina receives about $759 million a year in Census guided funding for federal pell grants for NC College students.
$231 million a year for Head Start programs
Head Start programs provide a learning environment that supports children's growth in many areas such as language, literacy, and social and emotional development. About 26,000 NC children are enrolled in a head start program. North Carolina currently receives about $231 million a year in Census guided funding for Head Start programs.
$1 billion a year in for highway planning and construction
North Carolina receives more than $1 billion a year in federal Census guided funding for highway planning and construction. This funding helps maintain more than 80,000 miles of highways. (Texas is the only state that has more.) The 80,000 miles include nearly 15,000
$381 million a year for the National School Lunch Program
About 800,000 NC students enrolled in free and reduced lunch in North Carolina in 2017. North Carolina receives about $381 million a year in Census guided funding to support the National School Lunch Program.