What to Expect During the 2020 US Census
By April 1st, 2020, every home should receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. It is imperative that you respond to the Census adequately and efficiently, and in a timely manner. You will have three options for responding: online, by phone, or by mail. In some circumstances, or if you have not completed the Census by May, a Census worker may come to your home to complete the questions with you.
Based on the questions submitted to Congress in March 2018, the 2020 Census will ask:
- How many people are living in or staying at your home on April 1st, 2020.
- Whether you rent or own your home.
- About the sex, age, and race of each person in your home.
- Whether a person in your home is of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin.
- About the relationship of each person in your home.
The Census Bureau will never ask you for any of the following:
- Your Social Security number.
- Money or donations.
- Anything on behalf of a political party.
- Your bank or credit card account numbers.
Should anything or anyone claiming to be from the Census Bureau ask for any of these things, do not provide any information. Contact the Census Bureau at 800-923-8282 to report the suspected fraud.
ALL data are protected by federal law and can only be used to compile and produce statistics; every employee of the US Census Bureau takes a lifelong oath to protect your personal information. None of your identifiable information can be released – not even to law enforcement agencies or immigration enforcement agencies – nor can it be used to determine eligibility for government benefits. All of your individual responses will be kept strictly confidential.