2020 Census

The count may end as early as Saturday, October 31, 2020. Answer as soon as possible to make sure you are included!

WHAT IS THE 2020 CENSUS?

The 2020 Census counts every person living in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories.

The count is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency. The 2020 Census counts the population in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Each home will receive an invitation to respond to a short questionnaire—online, by phone, or by mail.

You can learn more about the Census by visiting the 2020 Census website.

 

IMPORTANCE OF THE DATA

The 2020 Census will determine congressional representation, inform hundreds of billions in federal funding, and provide data that will impact communities for the next decade.

The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location.

WHEN AND WAYS TO RESPOND

There are three ways to respond to the 2020 Census.

  • March 12–20: An invitation to respond to the 2020 Census arrives in the mail.
  • March 16–24: A reminder letter arrives in mailboxes.
  • March 26–April 3: A reminder postcard arrives if you haven’t yet responded to the earlier invitation.
  • April 8–16: If your household hasn’t responded yet, a reminder letter and paper questionnaire arrive in the mail.
  • April 20–27: A final reminder postcard lets you know that a census worker from your community will visit your address to help you complete the form.
  • May: In-person visits begin.
  • July 31: Last day to respond, online, by phone, or by mail.

By April 1, 2020, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. You will have three options for responding:

QUESTIONS ASKED

The 2020 Census is easy. You will answer a simple questionnaire about yourself and everyone who is living with you on April 1, 2020.

There are only nine questions on the census. They ask very basic demographic questions: who lives in the household; how they are related; their age, sex, and race; whether they own or rent their house; and their phone number.

IS MY INFORMATION SAFE?

Yes! Information you submit through the census form (online, over the telephone, or on paper) is kept confidential by the U.S. Census Bureau, which is a nonpartisan government agency. The Census Bureau will never share information with immigration enforcement agencies or law enforcement agencies.

It is important to know that the Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the 2020 Census. Further,

during the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask for:

  • Your Social Security number.
  • Your bank account or credit card numbers.
  • Money or donations.

In addition, the Census Bureau will not contact you on behalf of a political party.