MCALLEN - A top U.S. Census official will be on hand to explain why participating is vital to the Valley in McAllen Monday.

The 2020 Census starts on April 1, but some census workers are already collecting data that will be used by poll workers.

This year residents will be able to fill out a physical form, or answer the census questions online.

A public "Census" forum is being held to explain why it's important for everyone to be counted.

The forum starts at 6:00 p.m. Monday at the McAllen Convention Center; it is free and open to the public.