Frequently Asked Questions
An accurate and complete Census count of the U.S. population— regardless of age, sex, race, or citizenship status—is the essential foundation of our representative democracy. Since our founding, the U.S. Constitution (Article 1, Section 2) requires an enumeration of every person in the U.S. every 10 years to determine Congressional representation, the equitable allocation of billions in federal funding, and to function as statistical support for often overlooked political, economic, and social decisions that affect our daily lives.
- In mid-March, homes across the country will begin receiving invitations to complete the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail.
- April 1 is Census Day, a key reference date for the 2020 Census. When completing the census, you will include everyone living in your home on April 1, 2020. Census Day will be celebrated with events across the country.
- More information – https://2020census.gov/en/important-dates.html
- Every household will have the option of responding online, by mail, or by phone. Nearly every household will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census from either a postal worker or a census worker.
- See what the invitation to respond looks like here.
Online, over the phone, through a paper questionnaire.
View the actual questionnaire here.
10
In 2010, the Bureau promoted the operation as 10 minutes, 10 questions. The actual amount of time will depend on how many individuals are in the household.
View a 2-page fact sheet from the US Census Bureau here.
- The Census will be in 13 languages, which includes English
- Online response languages: English, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Japanese
- Census Questionnaire Assistance – English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese), Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Japanese, Includes Telecommunication Device for the Deaf
- Language Glossaries, Language Identification Card, Language Guides (Video and Print), 59 Non-English Languages, Includes American Sign Language, braille, and large print
2020 Census are protected by law. Under Title 13 of the U.S. Code
Refusing to answer any census question, or intentionally giving a false answer to one, can result in a fine, according to federal law. And returning an incomplete census questionnaire may lead to a phone call or an in-person visit to your home by workers from the Census Bureau
If you do not respond to the Census on your way by the beginning of May, a Census Taker (Enumerator) may knock on your door. 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. Starting in mid-March, homes across the country will begin receiving an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census.
- How tax dollars are spent
- Who gets roads, schools, and services
- Who is represented in government
Everyone residing in the United States of American on April 1, 2020, should be counted in the Census, regardless of age or residency status. Even the baby born on April 1, 2020 should be counted!
- People who move on Census day
- Visitors on Census day
- Foreign citizens in the United States
- Students
- US military personnel
- People in shelters
- People displaced by natural disasters
- People in prisons and correctional facilities
- People in healthcare facilities
- People living in RV parks, hotels, and other transitory locations
The Census Bureau understands that organizations may provide incentives for filling out the 2020 Census. While there are no regulations on providing incentives for participation in the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau’s national and local partnership program is happy to work with organizations to educate them on the benefits of the 2020 Census.
- Individuals can call the U.S. Census Bureau’s customer service hotline at 1-800-923- 8282.
- Individuals seeking assistance in Spanish can call the NALEO Census hotline at 1-877- 352-3676 (1-877-EL CENSO).
