Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

If you haven’t completed your Census form yet, don’t be surprised if you get a visit soon.

Those who have not completed and returned their 2020 Census forms should expect to be visited by a Census taker or field representative between now and Sept. 30.

The census taker/representative will work between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. to assist anyone whose forms haven’t been returned.

census taker/field representative will identify himself/herself and will present an identification badge that includes their name, photo, a Department of Commerce watermark and an expiration date.

The person will have a official bag and Census Bureau-issued electronic device such as a laptop or smartphone with the Census Bureau logo.

Of course if you don’t want a visit from a Census worker, you can self-report by Sept. 20 using the forms that were mailed; by completing the forms online at www.my2020census.gov; or by calling toll-free (844) 330-2020.

Self-reporting also could help Pike County win money for public schools. The county is participating in the Alabama Census Bowl competition that began Sept. 2.

Kenneth Boswell, ADECA director and Alabama Counts! chairman, said each week, counties will be paired against another county with a similar self-response rate. The county with the highest week-over-week increase in self-participation, based on Census Bureau data, will move on to the next round.

“The competition will continue until Sept. 30 with the best-performing counties winning up to $65,000 in grants for their public-school systems,” Boswell said.

Self-responding only takes a few minutes and it can make a big impact on Alabama’s future.

“If you don’t do it for yourself, then do it for Alabama’s children,” Boswell said.

Pike County’s final self-response rate was 53.7 percent in 2010 and Boswell said, while he can’t speak to a specific percentage for Pike County, Troy or Brundidge, each city should set its goal to get as close to 100 percent as possible.

“But, we know, if we perform at a rate similar to 2010, we are putting federal funding and congressional representation at risk at the state level,” Boswell said.

The 2020 Census is important to every American, no matter their age, where they live or their economic status.

The Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year.

The results determine how many seats in Congress each state gets. With a decline in the 2020 Census numbers, Alabama is in danger of losing a Congressional seat in 2020. That loss would result in the lost of federal dollars that affect education, highways and federal programs including Medicare and Medicare.

Every household is responsible for its members being counted. The Pike County Extension Office on South Three Notch Street in Troy is a contact for those needing more information or assistance with the paper form.