Every decade, our nation counts its population. April 1 is officially Census Day and by then, households will receive an invitation to participate.
In addition to determining the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, the count is used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities. The census count helps determine how more than $675 billion of federal funding is distributed to states and communities each year.
Of that amount, New Mexico receives more than $7 billion each year through federal programs that benefit the entire community: health care, food assistance, highways, public education, community development and more. Funds are allocated on a per capita basis.
According to the Institute for the Study of “Race” and Social Justice at the University of New Mexico
- If New Mexico undercounts residents by only 1%, we will lose $780 Million Dollars.
- Each New Mexican not counted equates to a loss of approximately $3,745 per year.
You’ll have the opportunity to respond, starting on March 12, in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. Those who don’t respond will receive home visits between May and July.
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