City, County ask all residents to fill out Census

Press release

Jonesboro and Craighead County’s Census count remains low, and local leaders are urging residents to be counted to ensure our city and county receive our fair share of federal funding over the coming 10 years.

The City and County as well, as key nonprofits, are partnering to help those who have not yet filled out their U.S. Census by staging “Census Saturdays” each of the coming three Saturdays at Jonesboro stores.

Groups of volunteers will be found the following three Saturdays – the federal government has moved up the Census deadline to Sept. 30 – at local stores:

Volunteers will be posted outside Walmart on Highland Drive and Bill’s Fresh Market on Johnson Avenue from 9 a.m. until noon Sept. 12, 19 and 26. They will also work the Los Arcos Mexican Store on E. Matthews 11 a.m.-3 p.m. those same Saturdays.

Residents of Craighead County will have assistance filling out the Census at these places, not to mention the ongoing assistance at Craighead County Library that runs 2-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9-11 a.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

“People cannot underestimate how critical they are to our city and county, simply by filling out the short Census form,” Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin said. “It’s hard to believe, but each person we count creates roughly $3,200 in federal funding that comes to Jonesboro, rather than another city in which residents completed the Census more completely.”

County Judge Marvin Day said roads can be built and maintained when people fill out the Census.

“It takes some of the local tax load off when people fill out the Census,” Day said. “It really is that simple. One family can repave and stripe a road. Three families can provide a law enforcement officer. One neighborhood can provide a fire truck.”

Residents also can fill out the Census online at My2020Census.gov, call 844-330-2020 (for English) or 844-468-2020 (for Spanish). If you were provided a 12-digit Census ID and lost it, it will not inhibit your ability to fill out the Census. Simply click “Do not have Census ID” online.

“The Census is a federal project, but it impacts cities and counties,” Perrin said. “That’s why we are stepping in, and it’s why we are asking you to step up. This is the most important thing you can do for your community, and it takes five minutes.”