MT. VERNON, IL — July saw the extension of the 2020 Census count to help communities get more time to gather numbers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Fast forward to today, and the deadline is now less than a week away to be counted.

Census Liaison for the city of Mt. Vernon Lori Ulrich says Jefferson County is well short of where it should be at this time.

Public education, hospitals, senior services, first responders, emergency management, Section 8 vouchers, public transit, Pell grants, small business grants/loans, Medicare/Medicaid, WIC, SNAP, LIHEAP, Project Child, CASA, United Way, Red Cross, and so much more depends on a strong population count in the census.

Dix 73.7%

Bluford 64.7%

Opdyke-Belle Rive 70.1%

Bonnie 65.9%

Ina 68%

Waltonville 74.5%

Woodlawn 71.3%

Nason 56%

There are three areas specifically in or around Mt. Vernon that are falling below 60% reporting; South of Broadway, East of 27th Street, and some other areas outside the Mt. Vernon city limits.

If you are a citizen of Mt. Vernon you can still receive a $10 cash bonus for filling out your census. Go to my2020census.gov, complete the census, print out or take a screenshot of the confirmation page, and bring that page to City Hall.