Press Releases

PLASKETT RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE 2020 ISLAND AREAS CENSUSES RELEASE

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Plaskett, a Member of the House Ways and Means, Budget and Agriculture Committees, shared the following statement on the release of the 2020 Island Areas Censuses:

“The decennial census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and is conducted once every 10 years, which gives us an opportunity to help shape the future of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The results of the decennial census help determine how federal funding is spent every year, for the next decade, and presents an opportunity to shape the future of communities.

“The 2020 Island Areas Census is conducted in partnership with the local governments of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to meet the data needs for detailed housing, social, and economic information. For example, the U.S. Virgin Islands demographic profile for the 2020 Census showed that 91% of households owned a computer and 79% had a broadband subscription.

“The results of the 2020 Island Areas Census will determine the share of federal funding that the Virgin Islands receives across numerous important federal programs, which is vital as we continue to recover and rebuild roads, hospitals, and schools. The Virgin Islands benefits the most when everyone participates in the census; if we are undercounted, we will be underfunded.

“I applaud every Virgin Islander who participated in the 2020 Census and continue to engage in your civic duty to make the Virgin Islands a better place.”

For more information on the U.S. Virgin Islands profile in the 2020 Island Areas Census, please click here.

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