Government Document Displays

In preparation for the upcoming 2020 Census, the Government Document’s graduate assistant, Emma Green, had the opportunity to research the Census in order to help educate our Georgia Southern community on the importance of participating in the 2020 Decennial Census. The Decennial Census is conducted every 10 years as required by the United States Constitution to keep track of the country’s population. The Census determines the number of seats a state is given in the House of Representatives, it determines the Congressional districts, and most importantly, it informs how the federal budget is divided up and distributed among each state and community. 

The exhibit showcases the 1st Decennial Census, along with some of the early results for the state of Georgia and how the state population has changed over time, with attention to the different ways people have been counted throughout the country’s history. Previous Decennial Census results are shown to give the community perspective on how much the United State’s population has changed since 1880. See trends such as the increase in people earning bachelor degrees between 1950 and the last Decennial Census in 2010.

The exhibit highlights the impact of the Census and why it's important for everyone to participate. The Census impacts areas such as healthcare, education, even after school programs, along with many other vital programs in the United States. States are awarded an amount of the federal budget based on their population size, which is why it is important for everyone to be counted in the upcoming Decennial Census.

Make sure to do your part and participate in the 2020 Census! For more information about the Census and how to participate visit https://2020census.gov/en.html, or visit our Libguide on Census 2020: https://georgiasouthern.libguides.com/census2020 . You may also contact the Government Information Librarian, Lori Gwinett, directly at lgwinett@georgiasouthern.edu.