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2020 Census

*The US Census Bureau has announced the soft launch of field operations and census taker visits in some regions of the United States, with additional regional offices to resume operations by mid-August.*

What is the Census?

The U.S. Constitution mandates that everyone in the country be counted every 10 years. The first census was in 1790. After each decade’s census, state officials redraw the boundaries of the congressional and state legislative districts in their states to account for population shifts. Completing the census is mandatory: it’s a way to participate in our democracy and say “I Count!” Read the US Census Bureau's fact sheet, "Census 101: What You Need to Know."

The 2020 Census will ask a few simple questions about you and everyone who is or will be living with you on April 1, 2020. You can explore the form on the Census Bureau website here.


Click here to learn about how the Census will benefit our community.


What should I expect?

  • March 12 - 20: Households began receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail. These letters will include an insert with information in the 12 additional languages offered on the census this year.
  • March 26-April 3 - A post card reminder to complete the survey via the online portal will be sent to households that have not responded.
  • April 1: Census Day is observed nationwide. When you respond to the census, you'll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020. Reminder letters containing an official paper census questionnaire will be sent to households that have not completed the census by April 1.
  • April: Census takers will begin visiting college students who live on campus, people living in senior centers, and others who live among large groups of people. Census takers will also begin following up with households that have not yet responded in areas that include off-campus housing, where residents are not counted in groups.
  • May - July: Census takers will begin visiting homes that haven't responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted.
  • December: The Census Bureau will deliver apportionment counts to the President and Congress as required by law.


Census Takers
You may notice census takers in your neighborhood this year. Census takers will visit some homes in April to conduct quality check interviews or deliver paper questionnaires, and then in mid-May to help collect responses.

If someone visits your home to collect information for the 2020 Census, check to make sure that they have a valid ID badge, with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. Census workers may also carry Census Bureau bags and other equipment with the Census Bureau logo.

The best way to avoid a visit from a census taker is to fill out the 2020 Census questionnaire online, by phone, or by mail as soon as you receive your invitation to participate.

More information about census takers can be found on the U.S. Census website.

All information is provided by the US Census Bureau.