Important Information About the Census
Louisiana REALTORS • March 17, 2020
The decennial census is a population count that is mandated by the U.S. Constitution to take place every 10 years. The census is important for all REALTORS® because completing the Census survey means more resources for businesses and communities across the country.
Census data are invaluable to the National Association of REALTORS’ research team. Based upon decennial census data, NAR is able to:
Analyze census data related to the number of homebuyers in a particular area or universe of sales;
Compare census data to NAR’s local and national figures;
Forecast and make projections about housing industry growth;
Evaluate trends in generational housing demands and populations at state and local levels;
Analyze migration trends of recent movers to identify potential customers and markets;
Identify trends in household formation; and
Better understand the population of homeowners who have been affected by natural disasters.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau*, census data are used as follows:
Decision making at all levels of government.
Drawing federal, state, and local legislative districts.
Attracting new businesses to state and local areas.
Distributing over $675 billion annually in federal funds and even more in state funds.
Forecasting future transporta¬tion needs for all segments of the population.
Planning for hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and the location of other health services.
Forecasting future housing needs for all segments of the population.
Directing funds for services for people in poverty.
Designing public safety strategies.
Development of rural areas.
Analyzing local trends.
Estimating the number of people displaced by natural disasters.
Developing assistance programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Creating maps to speed emer¬gency services to households in need of assistance.
Delivering goods and services to local markets.
Designing facilities for people with disabilities, the elderly, or children.
Planning future government services.
Planning investments and eval¬uating financial risk.
Publishing economic and statistical reports about the United States and its people.
Facilitating scientific research.
Developing “intelligent” maps for government and business.
Providing proof of age, rela¬tionship, or residence certifi¬cates provided by the Census Bureau.
Distributing medical research.
Reapportioning seats in the House of Representatives.
Planning and researching for media as background for news stories.
Drawing school district boundaries.
Planning budgets for govern¬ment at all levels.
Spotting trends in the eco¬nomic well-being of the nation.
Planning for public transporta¬tion services.
Planning health and educa¬tional services for people with disabilities.
Establishing fair market rents and enforcing fair lending practices.
Directing services to children and adults with limited English proficiency.
Planning urban land use.
Planning outreach strategies.
Understanding labor supply.
Assessing the potential for spread of communicable diseases.
Making business decisions.
Understanding consumer needs.
Planning for faith-based organizations.
Locating factory sites and dis¬tribution centers.
Distributing catalogs and developing direct mail pieces.
Setting a standard for creating both public and private sector surveys.
Evaluating programs in differ¬ent geographic areas.
Providing genealogical research.
Planning for school projects.
Developing adult education programs.
Researching historical subject areas.
Determining areas eligible for housing assistance and reha¬bilitation loans.
The census survey can be completed by phone, by mail, and online at 2020census.gov
Please pay attention to the following key dates:
Mid-March 2020: The Census Bureau will be inviting households to participate in the 2020 census*, and households can begin completing the Census survey by mail, phone, or online at 2020census.gov(link is external).
April 1, 2020: National Census Day! This is a nationally recognized day, and by this date every U.S. household will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 census, and to respond by mail, phone, or online.
June 30, 2020: Last day for households to respond to the census survey.
December 2020: The Census Bureau is required by law to provide an apportionment count to the President and Congress.
NAR is sharing its latest consumer guide, Seller Handoff Checklist . Sellers can create a smooth transition for the new owners using the new one-page guide. It offers a handy checklist of information and resources that sellers can pass along—from appliance manuals to paint colors to garbage pickup schedules—as well as suggestions for goodwill gestures that will help buyers feel they made a great purchasing decision. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow up to two weeks for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Seller Handoff Checklist Defining Home Buying Needs vs. Wants 10 Tips For Unpacking Smartly After A Move UPDATED: Multiple Listing Services Overcoming Roadblocks to a Sale or Purchase Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their home buying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Check out the next consumer guide on condominium insurance.
NAR Community and Transportation Preference Survey reinforces need for housing choices and shows support for community design to easily access daily destinations.
New Blueprint for Housing: What the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Means for Louisiana Real Estate
