Although it may have been overshadowed this year by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing shutdown of businesses, schools and everything else, obtaining an accurate Census count is one of 2020s most important issues.

It’s great to see the city of Butler recognizing it as such.

On Tuesday, the City Council approved the purchase of four tablet devices through a 2020 Regional Census Mini Grant that will go toward ensuring that as many residents as possible are included in the once-in-a-decade count.

The devices — which are expected to cost less than $2,000 — will be used at the Butler City Farmers’ Market to help register people for the Census. This is good news. It may be a minor part of a major effort, but every little bit helps.

Butler County already has been exceeding national numbers for survey responses. In midsummer, Pennsylvania’s response was 3% higher than the national average of 62%, while the county was ahead by 8%.

The presidential election, the pandemic and the economy have sucked up all the oxygen in 2020 — and it’s easy to see why. The events of this year have, for some, been a matter of life or death or a question of fending off financial catastrophe.

But ensuring an accurate Census count is also very important — and can make a huge difference in the success of one’s community for years to come.

The survey is aimed at getting each and every community its fair share through the accuracy of its count.

As a result, the amount of federal funding allocated for vital services is determined by the Census. These include school upgrades, the maintenance of public utilities, health care, nutrition programs for children, assistance for college costs, housing assistance, road repairs and programs that help people find jobs. The number of congressional seats apportioned among the 50 states is also decided by the survey.

In other words, the number of people representing your community in Congress and the amount of funding your community gets goes up or down based on whether your local Census count is accurate.

That’s pretty important.

We’re glad that Butler City Council is taking steps to ensure that our community gets counted correctly as we head into the Census’ home stretch.

— NCD