2020 Census

The U.S. 2020 Census counts every person living in the U.S., including all 50 states, District of Columbia, and five territories. The Census is required by the U.S. Constitution to take place once every ten years.

Everyone is required by law to participate in the Census. If you do not respond, the U.S. Census Bureau will follow up in person to collect your response.

If you are unsure of how to count your household size, visit the U.S. Census Bureau’s page, Who to Count. This page explains who to include in your household size and answers questions to special circumstance scenarios.

You will receive an invitation to participate either online, by mail, or by telephone no later than Census Day, April 1, 2020. Once you receive your invitation, you may submit your responses.

Counting every person living in the United States is a massive undertaking, and efforts begin years in advance. Here’s a look at some of the key dates along the way:

• January–September 2019: The U.S. Census Bureau opens 248 area census offices across the country. These offices support and manage the census takers who work all over the country to conduct the census.
• August 2019: Census takers begin visiting areas that have experienced a lot of change and growth to ensure that the Census Bureau’s address list is up to date. This is called address canvassing, and it helps to ensure that everyone receives an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census.
• January 2020: The Census Bureau begins counting the population in remote Alaska.
• April 1, 2020: Census Day is observed nationwide. By this date, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. When you respond to the census, you tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020.
• April 2020: Census takers begin visiting college students who live on campus, people living in senior centers, and others who live among large groups of people. Census takers also begin conducting quality check interviews to help ensure an accurate count.
• May 2020: The Census Bureau begins visiting homes that haven’t responded to the 2020 Census to make sure everyone is counted.
• December 2020: The Census Bureau delivers apportionment counts to the President and Congress as required by law.
• March 31, 2021: By this date, the Census Bureau will send redistricting counts to states. This information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes.