The 2020 Census is just around the corner! Below you will find everything you need to know about the upcoming Census and what it means to you. 

What is the Census?

The Census is the mandatory counting of people and gathering of information that is to take place every ten years as mandated under   Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. This count helps determine things such as how many seats in Congress each state receives and how billions of dollars in federal funding gets appropriated. For more information on how Census date are used click here.

When does the 2020 Census begin?

While the Census does not have a definitive "start date", every home will have received an invitation to participate in the Census via the mail by April 1, 2020, which is National U.S. Census Day. For a detailed census activity timeline click here. For more information on how people will be invited to participate in the Census, click here.

How can I respond to the Census?

For the first time ever, households will be able to respond to the Census in three different ways: online, over the phone, and by mail. 

Counting Young Children in the 2020 Census

In the 2010 Census, it was estimated that up to 5% of children under the age of five weren't counted. That equates to roughly 1 million young children. To help prevent that from recurring, the Census Bureau has put out a very helpful guide on how to count young children in your household. Click here for more information.