A Day in the Life of Your Census Data

The data collected from the Census affects your every day life? Take a look at the Census filled day of the fictional Jane G.(ood) Citizen.

6:15 AM

Time to start the day. Jane rolls out of bed, turns on the lights, and hops in the shower.

Public water, electric, and sewer are available because data from the Census was used in planning her community and ensuring adequate infrastructure was there to support it.

7:11 AM

Jane’s children get on the bus to head to school.

Census data is used to determine where to build new schools, and school programs such as the free and reduced lunch program are funded based on data collected by the Census.

8:00 AM

Jane promptly arrives at her job as a faculty member at Virginia Tech.

Academic work, research, tuition grant and loan programs are affected by Census data.

10:15 AM

Jane G., boards Blacksburg Transit to attend a meeting across town.

Federal, State and local funding for BT buses is based on population counts from the Census.

12:00 PM

Jane heads to lunch.

Census data directly affect how funding is allocated for neighborhood and downtown improvements through programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Commercial Facade Program.

5:00 PM

Jane gets in her car and meets her children at the Meadowbrook Library, where they are doing homework for school.

Funding for roads and libraries is determined by Census data.

5:30PM

Jane takes her children to Creed Fields for their little league baseball games.

Funding for community programs offered by Parks and Recreation Departments is also determined by Census data.

8:00 PM

Jane and her spouse, a volunteer with the Fire Department, relax on the couch and watch the Board of Supervisors meeting on the county's cable TV channel.

Data from the Census determines how much money is allocated for government services and public safety.