Local residents have another reason to fill out the 2020 Census — they could win a $50 gift card.
Prince William Public Libraries has set up challenges on the Beanstack, an app that can be installed on iPhones and Androids and found on the library system’s website.
Among the tasks are: Fill out the Census, remind someone you know to complete it, talk about the survey on social media, and go to the 2020 Census website, according to a release from Prince William County.
Those who finish three of them can enter to win a gift card, Prince William County Public Library System Communication Services Division Chief Rachel Johnson explained.
The challenge is scheduled to end on April 30.
“It’s a fun way to encourage adults to complete the Census with an incentive and to encourage others to complete it, as well,” Johnson said in a release. “We’re just trying to do our part as a library to educate the general public about the importance of the Census.”
Results from the survey are used to determine how much federal funding Prince William County receives for programs.
The number of seats that are allocated for each state in the United States Congress are also decided by the information collected.
About 58 percent of Prince William County residents had completed the Census as of Wednesday. The national and Virginia response rates are at about 49 percent and about 54 percent, respectively.
The Census response due date has been pushed back from July 31 to October 31.
Final numbers for each state are expected to be shown to the President by April 30, 2021, according to the 2020 Census website. The information was originally scheduled to be presented by December 31, 2020.
“The Census Bureau plans to station staff members at low-response and highly trafficked areas with tablets to help people respond electronically, but that has been delayed until further notice,” County Demographer Brian Engelmann said in a release.
