EDINBURG – The next phase in preparation for the 2020 census will officially begin Thursday.

The federal government will open an area census office in Edinburg.

The census doesn't start until April 1, 2020 but preparations are already underway.

Recently census workers have been going door to door to verify addresses here in the Valley; it's all an effort to make sure the census count is as accurate as possible.

The new offices in Edinburg will serve as the launch point in the Valley.

Thursday’s grand opening will serve as a celebration and gathering of people who will be key to the census.

For more information watch the video above.