Since mid-March, hundreds of thousands of people across the Maricopa Region have been filling out their census forms online. Economic Development, Economy and Growth, General News, Maps and Data, Quality of Life Census Since mid-March, hundreds of thousands of people across the Maricopa Region have been filling out their census forms online, providing important data that helps determine the distribution of billions of dollars in federal funding to local communities. The census supports local programs impacting housing, education, transportation, health care and much more. The online option is particularly relevant this year given the impacts of COVID-19, allowing people to fill out their forms safely and securely at home. The U.S. Census Bureau has extended the deadline to respond online, by phone, or by mail. For every person counted in the census, from infants to older adults, Arizona receives $2,959 from the federal government, more than $20 billion every year for the next 10 years. “It is important to consider the vital resources an accurate count provides our communities, including federal funding for local and national emergencies. A complete count is more critical now than ever,” said Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell, chair of the Regional Council for the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). iCount2020 Campaign Update MAG’s iCount2020 public outreach campaign, funded by member agencies, has been underway for more than a year. MAG members are monitoring the online census response rates in their communities through the U.S. Census Bureau Map at https://www.census.gov/. The information is being used to redirect resources to areas with low response, while paying particular attention to communities that have been historically undercounted in the census. While the impact of the COVID-19 virus is affecting Census Bureau operations and outreach efforts such as community events, the iCount2020 campaign has pivoted key elements of the media campaign, with a greater emphasis on television, streaming video, social media, and other digital resources. Nielsen research estimates there is a 60 percent increase in media consumption across all platforms, and the campaign is responding to reach the goal of a complete and accurate count of all people living in the region. Visit iCount2020.info to learn more about the regional campaign. Follow the regional efforts: Facebook.com/iCount2020official, Twitter @iCount2020 and Instagram @iCount2020Official. Published April 16, 2020