What is the Census?

The Census is a Constitutionally mandated count of the population, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. 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). Participating in the census is required by law. Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website: https://www.census.gov/ for more information.

Why does the Census matter?

A complete and accurate count is critical for you and your community, because the results of the 2020 Census will affect community funding, congressional representation, and more. Information collected from the Census provides critical data that is used to determine how much federal funding is needed to sustain your community. Billions of dollars go to schools, teachers, hospitals, lawmakers, business owners, fire departments and many other organizations that provide daily services that support you and your community. If we are undercounted, we risk losing money. The data also determines the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and it’s used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

How YOU can complete the 2020 Census

Online
Completing your 2020 Census form online is safe, secure and quick to do! You can select one of thirteen languages and easily answer each question one-by-one. If at any time you don’t understand a question, you will be able to click a “help” button which will provide details for the selected question. Get started by visiting the 2020 Census website.

Phone
If you prefer to respond via phone, simply call 844-330-2020 to complete the 2020 Census in English. To respond to the census in one of the additional twelve languages, please visit the language support page. For convenience, each language has its own phone number. All phone lines are open each day 6am-1am CST.

Mail
To respond via mail, you will need to wait until you receive a paper form in the mail. This envelope’s return address will say “U.S. Census Bureau” and “U.S. Department of Commerce.” View the Bureau’s responding by mail page to learn more about responding by mail.

Census Bureau Updated Timeline

PhaseDateDescription
Self-responseMarch 12 - September 30Households have until September 30 to complete the 2020 Census
In-Person Group Quarters EnumerationJuly 1 - September 3For individuals living in group settings, census takers will be completing enumeration efforts by September 3.
Non-response Follow-upAugust 11 - September 30If you have not completed your household’s census form, you will receive an in-person follow up from a census taker between August 11 and September 30. This individual will be clearly identifiable as a Census Bureau employee and will ask you to complete your census form with them. This employee will verbally ask you each question that is on the census form and will track your responses.

See Your Community’s Response Rate

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