Be counted! A reminder to participate in the 2020 Census.

• Author: Gochnour, Natalie

TWENTY-ONE YEARS AGO, I sat in a car in our nation's capital with demographers from Illinois and Missouri. The head of the Population Division for the US Census Bureau had just picked us up from our hotel and we were driving across Key Bridge into Georgetown because we were in DC to provide input from the states on how to improve Census 2000.

We were talking about a census concept known as "usual place of residence," this, essentially, is identified by the place that you sleep at night. It was during this conversation that I realized that Utah's 11,000 missionaries (at the time) would not be included in Utah's 2000 Census count, and that gave me pause.

Several months later I found myself in the Utah State Capitol as the 2000 Census results were released. A group of us were in a cubicle standing around a computer as the Census Bureau director explained the apportionment counts--the process of dividing 435 seats in Congress to the 50 states. Utah did not receive an additional congressional seat.

My fear came to life when a member of the media asked the director which state was next in line to receive a new member of Congress. "Utah," he said, "in a very close call." After a lot of drama and a Supreme Court challenge, Utah fell 80 people short of gaining a new seat.

I share this story for a reason. Every person counts. April 1, 2020 is Census Day, and it's crucial that you fill out your form. The Census count is the largest peacetime mobilization of the federal government. Over the next few weeks, the Census Bureau will count every person living in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and five US territories.

And, I do mean everyone--as long as they meet the "usual place of residence" criterion or are a member of the armed forces. And while that still does not include Utahns living abroad, it does include everyone--citizen or not--that lives within the confines of Utah.

Here's what The Census means to Utah:

REPRESENTATION

Analysts do not expect Utah to gain another congressional seat this year, but the Census will impact in-state representation through the redistricting process for state and local government representation, including the state legislature, city councils, county commissions, school boards, and more. I expect fast-growing areas such as Wasatch County, Washington County...