OPELIKA, Ala. – Beginning March 12, citizens should start receiving their U.S. Census letter invitation in the mail. If you live in the United States, you are required by law to complete the census. By April 1, every home will receive an invitation and can respond in one of three ways – online, by phone or by mail. The City of Opelika’s Complete Count Committee (CCC) has been working hard over the last two months to education the public about the 2020 Census. It’s important that we count each person in Opelika to ensure funding for many important programs that affect health care, education, housing assistance, infrastructure development and more is tied in some form to census data. In addition, Alabama is seeing a projected slowed population growth. This poses a problem and could lead to the state losing one of its seven congressional seats after the 2020 Census.
Opelika OCC Chair Leigh Krehling states, “It is critical that we rally together to ensure everyone in Opelika is counted. We are hosting three community events in the coming weeks, as well as visiting with businesses, churches, community groups and others. We will be available to help anyone with their census during these events.”
Community events will offer entertainment, games, snacks and more. We encourage everyone to come out and fill out their census and enjoy. Snacks/food will be first come first serve at all events.
COVINGTON COMMUNITY GAME NIGHT March 26, 2020 6 - 8 p.m. @ Covington Rec Center
CORNHOLE ON THE SQUARE March 28, 2020 2 - 4 p.m. @ Courthouse Square I
COUNT COOKOUT April 1, 2020 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. @ Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library
Krehling adds that there are six Questionnaire Centers that will be open to help citizens beginning March 13. A local census volunteer will be available to answer questions and/or help fill out forms. Those include: Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library, Opelika Municipal Court & Probation Office, Opelika Housing Authority, Southern Union State Community College and Goodwill Career Center. In addition, Opelika City Schools will have stations set up at each school to help students/parents. For a list of addresses and contacts at each of these, visit https://www.opelika-al.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=225.
Questions regarding the Census, please call 705.5136. Also, follow our Opelika Counts Facebook page for updates on census information in our area.
Update March 16th, 2020
OPELIKA, Ala. – Due to concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Opelika is postponing the following Census Community events until a later date. We will update you all when we know the new dates.
COVINGTON COMMUNITY GAME NIGHT March 26, 2020 6 - 8 p.m. • Covington Rec Center
CORNHOLE ON THE SQUARE March 28, 2020 2 - 4 p.m. • Courthouse Square
I COUNT COOKOUT April 1, 2020 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. • Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library
Questions regarding the Census, please call 705.5136. Also, follow our Opelika Counts Facebook page for updates on census information in our area.