Help available for filling out the U.S. Census in Lansing and Harpers Ferry throughout September

Help with the U.S. Census will be available to all Allamakee County residents throughout the month of September in both Lansing and Harpers Ferry. U.S. Census Regional Assistants Tom and Linda Stovall will be sharing time at two different locations within each community in an effort to help local residents complete their 2020 U.S. Census or answer any additional questions they may have. Collection of U.S. Census data is scheduled to come to a close at the end of September.

The Stovalls will be in Lansing every Wednesday during the month of September from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to provide that census assistance. One will be located at the Lansing IGA and the other will be at nutMeg’s Café & Bakery during those days and times.

The couple will also be in Harpers Ferry every Tuesday during the month of September from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. One of them will be located at the U.S. Post Office and the other will be at the Dolores Tillinghast Memorial Library in Harpers Ferry during those days and times. The couple will also continue to be at the Harpers Ferry Farmers Market every Friday in September from 4-7 p.m.

Allamakee County continues to have the second lowest response rate of all 99 counties in Iowa at 56.0%. Only Dickinson County, at 45.8%, ranks lower than Allamakee County in those county rankings.

The U.S. Census also shares the five greatest reasons for filling out the Census:

1.  Help Your Community Thrive.
2. Get Help In Times Of Need. Many 911 emergency systems are based on maps developed for the census.
3. Make Government Work For You. It’s a good way to tell leaders who they are serving and what is needed using the numbers from the Census.
4. Reduce Risk For American Business. Because Census numbers help industry reduce financial risk and locate potential markets, businesses are able to produce the products that are wanted.
5. Help Yourself And Your Family. Individual records are held confidential for 72 years. In 2072 great-grandchildren of those who fill out today’s Census may want to use Census information to research family history.