The census counts everyone in the United States. Census results are the basis for congressional representation and help determine how more than $675 billion in federal funds is distributed each year to support vital programs in states and communities across the country. These funds shape local health care, housing, education, transportation, employment, and public policy.
The 2020 Census marks the first-ever census that will be available online. If you don’t have access to a computer or the internet at home, you can visit the library to complete the census on our public-use computers. Otherwise, you can complete the census by phone or mail.
Important Dates
- April 1st, 2020 – Census invitations should have arrived at every home. Respond to the census about where you live as of this day.
- May 2020 – Census takers will begin to visit homes of people who didn’t respond to the census to ensure an accurate count.
- December 2020 – Census Bureau delivers the apportionment count (the number of members each state sends to the House of Representatives) to the President and Congress. Note: this data is not attached to any personal data, such as names, addresses, etc.
- March 2021 – Redistricting counts are given to each state in order to redraw legislative districts.
Who Is Required To Respond?
Every single person living in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories. This is required by law, regardless of a person’s legal status.
How Is My Data Used?
Data collected through the census is reduced to statistics and stripped of personal information like names and addresses. Federal law prevents the Census Bureau from disclosing identifiable data about participants to anyone, including law enforcement agencies for a minimum of 72 years.
The statistics created from the census are used to direct federal funds based on population, to redraw district lines, shape the House of Representatives and more.
Where Can I Find Out More?
By visiting https://2020census.gov, reaching out to @uscensusbureau via social media, or by calling 800-923-8282.