Thousands Of Census Jobs Still Open In San Mateo Co., Bay Area

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Hiring is still open for thousands of census taker jobs across the Bay Area, as the U.S. Census Bureau prepares to staff up for the nationwide count taking place this spring and summer.

In San Mateo County, census taker jobs pay $30 per hour — the highest in the country. Anyone who is 18 or older, a U.S. citizen, and has an email address can apply online at 2020census.gov/jobs.

Census takers will start working in mid-April, attempting to count all people who haven't responded to the census forms sent to all U.S. households every 10 years. Census takers visit each of those household to help residents fill out their forms.

"We want to recruit people who live in the communities they’re working in," the Census Bureau said in a news release. "Census takers with local knowledge can become trusted messengers in explaining to their neighbors how important it is to respond to the census."

The census is critically important, helping the federal government get an accurate population count in order to set policies and allocate funds at every level of government. The census also determines the number and boundaries of congressional districts, state legislative districts, county board and city council seats in California, as well as how big a share local governments get of the $675 billion in federal program funds for communities, schools, roads, hospitals and other services.

Applications can also be submitted online or by calling 855-562-2020.

Patch staffer Courtney Teague contributed to this report.