The census is back in Thurston County. Here’s how to make sure you get counted

The once-a-decade national census that determines where hundreds of billions of tax dollars go has restarted in Thurston County after being delayed by the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 69 percent of Thurston County residents have already completed the 2020 census, but workers are confirming addresses and delivering census packets to homes in rural areas. By canvasing areas that do not have city-style addresses, the census will be sure all packets are delivered.

To maintain proper social distancing, census workers will drop off census packets on the front door of homes. Once they do so, they will update their list of addresses to make sure homes are properly mapped.

If a household uses a post office box, however, that is where their packet will be dropped off, according to information on census.gov.

The packets will include the household’s Census ID number, which is necessary for completing the census, whether that be by filling out the paper questionnaire that is also enclosed in the packet and mailing it back; filling out the census online at 2020Census.gov; or by calling in at 844-330-2020 to complete in English or at 844-468-2020 to complete in Spanish.

If census workers have trouble verifying the address listed on a completed form, they may visit to confirm it and possibly ask households follow-up questions for clarification.

The deadline for the census has been extended to Oct. 31 to ensure as many people are counted as possible. Area census offices reopened in Olympia on May 11.

Tim Olsen, the associate director of field operations with the Census Bureau, stressed the importance of filling out the census in a news announcement sent to The Olympian. “2020 Census results will help inform how hundreds of billions in federal funds will support programs and services like fire departments, hospitals, schools, unemployment assistance, and health care in your communities for the next 10 years.”

This story was originally published June 15, 2020 at 1:50 PM.