MARION — Marion will complete two forms of the census this year. One is the town’s Annual Street Listing and the other is the 2020 U.S. Census.

The Marion Annual Street Listing or census is sent to both year-round and seasonal residents of the town. In the census, residents are asked to review the information regarding street address, date of birth, occupation, household pets, veteran status and more for each person in their household, and note updates as necessary. Residents are then asked to sign and return the document, even if no changes are necessary.

The Annual Street Listing has been mailed and residents can expect to receive it in the mail within the coming days. Residents are asked to sign and return the document within ten days of receiving it.

The 2020 U.S. Census is a count mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau to collect data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers and others use to provide daily services, products and support in local communities.

Almost every household in America will receive an invitation to participate by a postal or census worker. Households have the option of responding online, by mail or by phone. The invitation will be sent to residents between March 12 and March 20. A final reminder letter will be sent between April 20 and April 27 to remind residents to participate before a follow-up in person visit occurs.

On April 1, Census Day will be observed nationwide. By this date, all households will have received an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. In household responses, it is asked that residents report where they live as of April 1 to the Census Bureau.

The Town of Marion encourages residents to learn more about the 2020 U.S. Census by familiarizing themselves with this helpful refresher provided by the United States Government and the U.S. Census Bureau:

The Census counts every living person in the United States once.

Every 10 years, the results are used to reapportion the seats in the House of Representatives.

The data provided by the census determines the allocation of about $675 billion in federal funds, grants and support for schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs.

It’s against the law for the Census Bureau to publicly release responses; they responses will only be used to create statistics.

After each decade’s census, state officials redraw congressional and state legislative district boundaries.

"We ask that all residents ensure that they return both our town street listing and the 2020 Census this year," Town Clerk Lissa Magauran said. "The Marion Annual Street Listing is an important way for us and the state to gather information about our residents which, in turn, helps us and the state to make educated decisions in regard to town funding, as well as to keep our resident and voter lists accurate and prove residency for school enrollment."

Questions about the annual street listing should be directed to the Town of Marion Town Clerk’s Office at 508-748-3502. Anyone with questions about the 2020 United States Census may call the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Census Division at 1-833-MA1-2020, or visit: https://2020census.gov/en.html.