All You Need to Know About the 2020 Census

It is time once again for the federal government to conduct the census. Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau counts the country’s population. The census is a governing tool that helps the government determine where federal funds need to be allocated and the number of congressional seats.

Individual households will receive information through the mail that will include a census ID. However, if a household does not have an ID, the census website offers an alternative. If a household does not have internet access, the census can be completed via phone or mail. The Responding to the Census page has more information on all response methods. 

The census website also offers webpages and guides in 59 languages including American Sign Language. There are options for guides with braille and large print as well. All language options are listed on the Language Support page of the site. On the questionnaire itself there are a few questions. “All they ask for is: name, address, race, and number of people in household. The citizenship question is NOT on the form,” said Connie Jorgensen, assistant professor of political science. 

The 2020 census website also states, “The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. The law ensures that your private information is never published and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court.” 

It is important that the 2020 census be as accurate as possible as its accuracy will have a major impact on students. Jorgensen said, “Students are often undercounted. Being counted (or not) affects things like Pell Grants. Everyone who is not counted costs their locality approximately $2000 per year. That’s $20,000 over the 10 years until the next census.” For more information visit the 2020 census website at https://2020census.gov/en.html.