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Census 2020

This guide provides resources and information about the upcoming 2020 Census.

How COVID-19 will affect the 2020 Census

The Census Bureau recommends people respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone or by mail to avoid the need for in-person counting. The Census Bureau extended self-response until August 14, 2020. 

Curious to see current Census Response Rates? Check out the 2020 Census Response Rate map and browse by state, county, and city.

College students who typically live on campus will be counted on campus regardless of campus closings. College students who typically live off campus will be counted where you would live regardless of campus closings. 

How can I be counted?

By April 1, 2020, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Here are the three options for responding:

  1. Respond online in English, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Japanese. There will also be a video in American Sign Language. 
  2. Respond by phone in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Japanese.
  3. Respond by mail in English or Spanish

How should I respond?

"I live on campus in a residential hall. How should I respond?

If you live on campus, do not worry about filling out a census response form. The College will count you since you live on campus. 
"I live off campus. How should I respond?"

If you live off campus in an apartment or house with other students, your house will collectively need to respond to the Census. Do not have each person fill out a separate response form. Instead, elect one person in your apartment or house to fill out the form for everyone, making sure to include anyone who is currently living in the residence on April 1, 2020. 
"I live off campus with my family. How should I respond?"

If you live off campus with your parents or other family members for majority of the year on April 1, 2020, you will be counted on your family's collective Census response form.

What should I tell my parents or family members about how I should be counted?

The Census aims at counting every person in the United States and U.S. Territories where they live and sleep most of the time. Because the Census 2020 takes place in the middle of Spring 2020 semester, you will more than likely be living on or near campus on April 1, 2020. You should not be counted on your family's Census form unless you live and sleep most of the time at your family residence. 

What happens if I don't respond?

If you do not respond online, by phone, or mail, a representative from the Census Bureau will follow up in person to homes that have not responded. Remember the goal of the Census is to get an accurate count of the whole U.S. population so the Census Bureau wants to make sure that everyone is counted. 

Subjects: Reference
Tags: Census