When can I complete the census? 

You can respond any time after March 12, 2020.  Please respond as soon as possible.

​

Why does the census ask about April 1? 

Everyone is asked about their information as of the same day, April 1, 2020. 

​

What questions does the Census 2020 ask? 

The Census 2020 asks how many people are living or staying at each address. For each person, we will ask about his or her name, sex, age, date of birth, relationship, Hispanic origin, and race. We also will ask whether the housing unit, such as the house, apartment, or mobile home, is owned or rented, and for contact information in case additional information is needed. 

​

How are the American Community Survey (ACS) and Census 2020 different? 

The Census 2020 counts each person in the U.S., where they live on April 1. The decennial census happens every 10 years ending in zero. Unlike the decennial census, the American Community Survey is an ongoing survey that only collects information from selected addresses. The American Community Survey asks questions that are not on the census. This includes education, employment, and transportation, and provides communities with up-to-date data every year. 

​

How is census data used?  

By law, the U.S. Census Bureau can use your responses only to produce statistics. Census 2020 results will help in directing billions of dollars in federal funds to communities for schools, roads, and other public services. Results from the Census 2020 will also help to determine the number of seats that each state has in Congress, and House of Representatives.

 

​

What happens to my responses?  

We take our responsibility to protect your information very seriously. The Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015 ensures sure that your data is protected from cybersecurity risks. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify you or your household. By law, the Census Bureau can use your responses only to produce statistics. If you respond online, all web data submissions are encrypted in order to protect your privacy. If you respond using a paper questionnaire, your completed questionnaire will be destroyed after processing.
 

Will my information be disclosed to other agencies? 

No. Your information is protected. Federal law (U.S. Code Title 13, Section 9) protects your privacy and keeps your answers confidential. By law, the U.S. Census Bureau can use your responses only to produce statistics. 
 

Will the census form be available in different languages?  

Yes. You can respond online in English or in 12 additional languages: Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Japanese.

​

The online questionnaire conforms with the latest web accessibility guidelines. There will also be a video in American Sign Language to guide you through responding online.

 

We’ll also make help available by phone in those same languages. You can respond by phone in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Japanese.

 

The paper form can be completed in English or Spanish. 
 

How do I know whether someone works for the U.S. Census Bureau? 

All Census Bureau workers carry official government badges. You can also call your local regional office for verification. Find regional offices' phone numbers on our Regional Census Center page. 

​

Is the census legal? 

Yes. We are conducting the Census 2020 under the authority of U.S. Code Title 13, sections 141, 193, and 221. Article 1, Section 2, of the U.S. Constitution requires that this population and housing count occur every 10 years. This collection of information has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget.

​

Why did I see an ad for the 2020 Census?  

Digital advertising used in the Census 2020 may reach only a small or specific audience. This advertising is used to encourage people to respond to the Census 2020 in a cost-effective way. 
 

I saw an advertisement, social media post, website, email, etc. from an organization claiming to be with the Census. Is it legitimate?  

There are many organizations that help the Census Bureau spread awareness about the importance of responding to the Census 2020. You can find a list of our national partners here.

 

What is redistricting?  

The Census 2020 asks questions that collect information necessary for redistricting. Redistricting is the redrawing of boundaries for the areas that are used to determine where people elect their representatives to the U.S. House of Representatives, state legislature, county or city council, school board, and so forth. Law (Public Law 94-171) requires that the redistricting data be delivered to state officials within one year of Census Day or no later than April 1, 2021. 

 

What is apportionment?  

Apportionment is the process of determining the number of representatives in Congress. Each state's representation in the U.S. House of Representatives is based on the decennial census. The U.S. Constitution (Article 1, Section 2) established that the apportionment of the House of Representatives would be determined using a national census. The U.S. Census Bureau must deliver the apportionment results to the President and Congress by December 31, 2020.

 

Is this a scam? 

No. The Census 2020 is happening now, and we are contacting people across the nation by phone, by mail, and in person. Learn more about how to avoid scams online or in-person.

 

​

​

​