Census Representative Speaks to Lavonia Citizens on Importance of Participating

A Representative from the U.S. Census is in our area encouraging people to stand up and be counted next spring.

Jesse Clayton spoke recently to members of the Lavonia City Council about the importance of participating in the U.S. Census.

The Census begins, officially, in April of next year, but a lot work is already going on across counties in Northeast Georgia.

Clayton said Franklin County is doing a tremendous job of preparing for the Census, but she says it’s vital that people respond to the Census.

“For every person in your county that does not return their census forms, you lose approximately $24,000 over a ten year period,” Clayton explained. “The roads, your school cafeteria funding, your senior citizen center, it’s all so important. So, please return your census forms. I will be talking with the City at a later date to talk with them about how we can get everyone involved in participating in the 2020 Census.”

Clayton said the hardest individuals to get an accurate count of are children under five and the elderly , and she asked everyone to return the forms going out next spring.

“So when you talk to people, remind them that April 1, 2020 is Census Day and we’re asking everyone to send their forms back. This year you can do it electronically on your phone or computer, and you can even call in,” she said.

Census forms will go out in March and Clayton said you have until May to return the forms.

Clayton also noted that the U.S. Census is still hiring part -time workers to go door-to-door and to work in the regional Census office.

“We have a major recruitment going on,” she said. “The minimum wage for part-time work is $14.50/hr. Some counties are getting up to $22 an hour. For part-time work where you set your hours, that;s pretty good money.”

To apply for a part-time job for Franklin, Hart, or Stephens Counties, you can go online to usajobs.gov.

Clayton or another Census representative will also be speaking again tonight at the Royston City Council meeting.