Census 2020
It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone, or by mail—all without having to meet a census taker.
Visit 2020census.gov for more information.
Census FAQs
When will the Census Form be mailed out?
Starting on March 12, forms will start being mailed out and they will be mailed to 95% of homes.
How will people be able to respond to the Census?
By April 1, 2020, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. You will have three options for responding:
- Online
- By phone
- By mail
Does a person have to respond online to this year’s Census?
No, they do not. Between April 8–16, the Census Bureau will mail a paper questionnaire to households that have not yet responded.
Why is the Census important?
Census data is used to make decisions about how and where to spend more than $1.5 trillion each year for programs and services that communities rely on. Census data also drives federal funding allocations for libraries, including grants to states under the Library Services and Technology Act. The census population count is used to determine representation in Congress (known as reapportionment) and the Electoral College. Simply put, communities that are undercounted are disadvantaged economically and politically.
What is Census Day and why is it important?
April 1 is Census Day. When you respond to the Census, you tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1 and include everyone living in your home.
How will college students be counted even if they are now home due to colleges closing because of COVID-19?
In general, students in colleges and universities temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 virus will still be counted as part of this process. Even if they are home on Census Day, April 1, they should be counted according to the residence criteria which states they should be counted where they live and sleep most of the time. We are asking schools to contact their students and remind them to respond.
When is the last day people can respond?
To avoid a home visit from a Census Bureau employee, people should respond by the end of April 2020. Census workers will start home visits in May.
How long does it take to fill out the form?
The Census bureau estimates that it will take about 10 minutes to complete the Census form depending on the number of people in their household.
What should people do if they have a question or problem?
The Census Questionnaire Assistance phone line will be available with live customer service representatives supporting 13 languages (see attached handout) and TDD from March 9 through July 31. Call toll-free 844-330-2020. People can also find general answers at 2020census.gov.
Is my information confidential?
The Census is required by law to protect any personal information we collect and keep it strictly confidential. The Census can only use answers to produce statistics. Your answers cannot be used for law enforcement purposes or to determine your personal elgibility for government benefits.
Am I required to fill out the Census?
Everyone living in the 50 states, 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) is required by law to be counted in the 2020 Census.
How will people who are homeless be counted?
The Census Bureau will count people experiencing homelessness (and who are not staying in a household) at the places where they receive services, such as shelters and soup kitchens, on March 30 through April 1. Non-sheltered outdoor locations will be counted on April 1. This operation is called Service-Based Enumeration.