FAQ

What happens if I lose the postcard with my unique ID number?

Don’t worry – you can still complete your Census form online without the ID number.

Will the Census include a question about citizenship?

The 2020 Census questionnaire will NOT include a question about an individual’s citizenship status. If you have concerns about opening your doors, you can participate online and over the phone, from the comfort of your home or at a community run assistance center. Your participation is vital, and your information is protected.

Is my private information protected?

Your answers cannot be used for law enforcement purposes or to determine personal eligibility for government benefits. In addition, personal information cannot be used against respondents for the purposes of immigration enforcement.

The United States Census Bureau (USCB) is required by law to protect any personal information it collects and keep it confidential. Violating confidentiality or sharing the information other than for statistical purposes is a serious federal crime. Anyone who violates this law will face severe penalties, including a federal prison sentence of up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

Why do I have to participate in the Census?

Some federal funds, grants, and support to states, counties and communities are based on population. It is critical for everyone to be counted, regardless of immigration status. When you respond to the Census, you help your community get its fair share of federal funds.

What if I don’t want to participate in the Census?

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

Does somebody else in addition to the federal government use the Census data?

Businesses use Census data to decide where to build factories, offices and stores, and this creates jobs. Developers use Census data to build new homes and revitalize neighborhoods. Local governments use Census data for public safety and emergency preparedness.

Should I include my children as well?

Yes, you should include all children who live in your home. You should include children who split their time between homes, if they are living with you on April 1, 2020. Please include also newborn babies, even those who are born on April 1, 2020, or who are still in the hospital on this date.

I’m pregnant. How should I fill out the Census?

Every child born on or before April 1, 2020 should be counted.

How should I answer the Ethnicity Question if I don’t relate to any of the answers?

If you are Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin you can select a more detailed category Mexican/Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban or Other Latino and provide a written answer (for example Dominican, Salvadoran, etc.). While you can select more than one Latino national origin group, the Bureau will only report one Latino origin group when publishing the data and they will choose arbitrarily.

With the race question, you can select one or more race categories with which you identify. If none are applicable, you can select “some other race.”