Cass County Connect

Cass County Judge

Travis Ransom

Why the Census Matters Especially for Rural Texas

Every ten years, the U.S. Census gives our communities a voice. It’s the only time the federal government works to count every single person living in the United States — from the biggest cities to the smallest rural towns like ours here in Cass County.

During the census, households are asked a few simple questions: How many people live there? What ages? What housing type? These answers may seem basic — but they drive billions of dollars in federal support back into Texas communities.

This isn’t just a national statistic exercise. It’s how funding is distributed for: Rural roads and bridges Public schools and special education Healthcare facilities and Medicaid Emergency services, disaster relief, and law enforcement Senior care and Meals on Wheels Food assistance like SNAP and WIC More than 350 federal programs rely on census data — touching nearly every area of life in rural Texas.

When We Aren’t Counted — We Lose Out

Texas was undercounted by nearly half a million people in the 2020 census. That means we lost out on more than $25 billion in funding and an additional seat in the U.S. Congress.

When rural households don’t participate, the consequences fall heaviest on places like Cass County, where every dollar counts for our schools, our hospital systems, and our aging population.

Why Start Preparing Now?

It may feel early — but preparing for the 2030 Census starts today:

• Updating local address lists so census workers know where every home is

• Identifying areas where households were missed last time

• Building partnerships with trusted voices — schools, churches, civic groups

• Spreading awareness about why this matters locally Communities that plan ahead get better results — and better support for the next decade.

Learning From Others

Counties like Hidalgo in South Texas, after facing a major undercount in 2010, worked years in advance on the 2020 census. They launched outreach campaigns, partnered with schools and nonprofits, and updated thousands of addresses — including nontraditional housing like RVs and converted buildings. Their efforts paid off. Every corrected address ensured families didn’t disappear from the funding map.

Trust and Privacy Matter

Some people hesitate to respond because they worry the information could be used against them. In fact: Census responses never include names or personal identifiers in shared data.

By law, personal information cannot be shared with law enforcement, immigration authorities, or landlords — not now, not ever.

The census is about numbers, not identities — and those numbers shape our future.

Cass County’s Future Depends on Us

We all know people who might ignore a form in the mail or avoid a knock at the door. But if we want the resources our community deserves — participation is critical. - Travis Ransom, Cass County Judge