The US Census: Why and How to Respond

(Information from https://2020census.gov/en.html)

The count is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency. The 2020 Census counts the population in the United States 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.

Why We Conduct This Count

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.

It's also in the Constitution: Article 1, Section 2, mandates that the country conduct a count of its population once every 10 years. The 2020 Census will mark the 24th time that the country has counted its population since 1790.

Counting Everyone

Participating in the census is required by law, even if you recently completed another survey from the Census Bureau. A complete and accurate count is critical for you and your community, because the results of the 2020 Census will affect community funding, congressional representation, and more.

Responding to the Census

It's not too late to complete your 2020 Census.

The 2020 Census is happening now. You can complete your questionnaire online, by phone, or by mail.

The 2020 Census asks a few simple questions about you and everyone who was living with you on April 1, 2020.

Who Should Respond

The 2020 Census counts everyone living in the United States and its five territories (Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

One person should respond for each home. That person must be at least 15 years old. They should live in the home or place of residence themselves and know general information about each person living there. (For more information, visit Questions Asked.) 

RESPOND

Please complete your form online, by phone, or by mail when your invitation to respond arrives. 

How to Respond Online

Visit my2020census.gov to begin. If you are responding online, please note that you cannot save your progress and that you must complete the census in one sitting. 

How to Respond by Phone

You have the option of completing the questionnaire by phone. To begin, call 844-330-2020

How to Respond by Mail

To respond to the census, you can mail back the paper questionnaire sent to your home.

Most households received their invitation to respond to the 2020 Census in March. These official Census Bureau mailings included detailed information and a Census ID for completing the census online.

In mid-April, the Census Bureau began mailing paper questionnaires to homes that have not yet responded online or by phone.

When responding, use blue or black ink to fill in the questionnaire. Do not use a pencil.

When finished, return the questionnaire in the envelope we provided. If you have lost your return envelope, please mail your completed questionnaire to: U.S. Census Bureau National Processing Center 1201 E 10th Street Jeffersonville, IN 47132

Verifying Your Questionnaire

There are several ways you can confirm that the 2020 Census questionnaire you received is legitimate:

• The outer envelope's return address will say "U.S. Census Bureau" and "U.S. Department of Commerce," which is the Census Bureau's parent agency.
• The return address will also show: U.S. Census Bureau National Processing Center 100 Logistics Avenue Jeffersonville, IN 47144
• The enclosed envelope for mailing the completed paper questionnaire will be addressed to either Jeffersonville, IN, or Phoenix, AZ, where the Census Bureau has mail processing centers.

When in doubt, you can review sample copies of all official Census Bureau mailings for the 2020 Census.

LEARN MORE 

The Census Bureau will never ask you for:

• Your full Social Security number.
• Your bank account or credit card numbers.
• Anything on behalf of a political party.
• Money or donations.

In addition, the Census Bureau will not contact you on behalf of a political party.