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Workers needed for 2020 Census

As the 2020 U.S. Census prepares to officially launch in March, recruiters are seeking more than 1,000 workers in cities and counties across North Dakota.

Kevin Iverson, manager of the Census Office at the North Dakota Department of Commerce, said this is a way for individuals to take care of their community, demonstrate their civic and community leadership and earn decent wages in a position with a lot of flexibility.

“Many of these jobs are paying more than $18 an hour and you can name your own hours,” Iverson said. “Census takers will work in the field – often during evenings and weekends – to help the public complete the Census. It’s a great way to earn some extra money for a trip, a down payment, or just for necessities.” The average person could earn more than $2,880.

Interested applicants need to visit http://www.2020Census.gov/jobs to apply. The Census anticipates significant field work between March and June, which is when many of the jobs would start. Each field operation lasts about eight weeks, and people can work multiple operations as long as work remains available. People are encouraged to apply early in order to ensure the Census can select enough employees and to allow time for background checks to be completed.

“The Constitution requires the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct a Census every 10 years, but the states and communities are the ones who really benefit,” Iverson said. “Every person we fail to count will cost the state of North Dakota more than $19,000 over the next 10 years. That is money we need for roads, emergency services, healthcare services, school, programs, etc. It’s really important, so check out the jobs.”

The latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show that North Dakota’s population reached a new all-time high of 762,062 residents as of July 1, 2019, an increase of 3,982 from last year’s revised estimate of 758,080.

“We are excited to see that a record number of people are experiencing North Dakota’s exceptional quality of life. Our population growth reflects the abundant opportunities in North Dakota and the strong potential for future economic expansion,” Governor Doug Burgum said in a statement Monday, Dec. 30. “Ensuring that we have a complete count for Census 2020 is vital to our focused efforts to create healthy, vibrant communities that will attract and retain a 21st century workforce to fill the thousands of open jobs in our state.”

North Dakota’s estimated 2018 population was revised down to 758,080 residents from 760,077.

“Revisions to past estimates tend to grow larger toward the end of the decade as the bureau is now working with old data,” said Kevin Iverson, Census Office manager at the North Dakota Department of Commerce. “These larger revisions point to the need for a new census, which happens in just three months.”

The state’s Census 2020 Complete Count Task Force appointed by Burgum is working to get everyone in the state counted. The task force, led by co-chairs Louise Dardis and Linda Svihovec, has been working to achieve a complete count by educating the public on the need to participate in the process and supporting local efforts to raise awareness of the importance of the decennial census to the state’s future.

“Getting everyone counted at this point is paramount,” Iverson said. “The impact that the census has on funding, political representation and a good base for statistical information on all areas of the state cannot be overstated.”

North Dakota retains its status as the 47th most populous state, just ahead of Alaska and behind South Dakota.

Since the last decennial census, North Dakota has been among the nation’s fastest-growing states, estimated to have grown by more than 13% since 2010. Only five states – Colorado, Florida, Texas, Utah and Arizona – are estimated to have grown by a higher percentage since 2010.

“I expect we will retain our position as the nation’s fourth-youngest state and see a continued increase in diversity data on age, sex, race and ethnicity for 2019 when that data is released in mid-2020,” Iverson said.