The Census is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency. 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). Each home will receive an invitation to respond to a short questionnaire—online, by phone, or by mail.
The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data.
The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.
Timeline:
- Mid-March 2020: Household will receive their invitation (delivered by the US Postal Service or by Census workers)
- April 1: Census Day! By this day, every home should have received an invitation. Once your invitation arrives, you’ll respond online, by phone, or by mail (if you’ve received your paper copy).
- April: Group quarters – such as dormitories, nursing homes, and jails – will by counted in person by census workers.
- Mid- late-April: You may receive a reminder in the mail if you have not already completed your form. You will eventually receive a paper copy if you don’t respond online or by phone.
- May-July: Census workers will visit homes that have not responded to the Census.
- December: The Census Bureau will deliver apportionment counts to the President and Congress as required by law.