What is the Census?
The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and others use to provide services, products, and support for you and your community. Billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data.
How will the census data be used?
The 2020 Census will determine congressional representation, inform hundreds of billions in federal funding, and provide data that will impact communities for the next decade. Over the next decade, lawmakers, business owners, and many others will use 2020 Census data to make critical decisions. The results will show where communities need new schools, new clinics, new roads, and more services for families, older adults, and children. The results will also inform how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated to more than 100 programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP.
How does the census affect representation?
The 2020 Census will provide a snapshot of our nation—who we are, where we live, and so much more.
The results of this once-a-decade count determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives. They are also used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.
How do I take the census?
By April 1, 2020, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. You will have three options for responding: Online, by phone and by mail. In mid-March, households will begin receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census.We will also be tabling around campus to make it easier for you to take the Census.
Is my census data safe?
Our Legal Duty To Protect Your Information
The Census Bureau is bound by Title 13 of the U.S. Code to keep your information confidential.
Under Title 13, the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home, or your business, even to law enforcement agencies. The law ensures that your private data is protected and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court.
The answers you provide are used only to produce statistics. You are kept anonymous: The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you or anyone else in your home.
Data Protection and Privacy Program
Being responsible stewards of your data is not only required by law, it is embedded in Census Bureau culture. Strict policies and statistical safeguards help protect the confidentiality of your information. Before releasing data products, the Census Bureau verifies that they meet its confidentiality standards.
Secure Technology
From the beginning of the data collection process, the Census Bureau follows industry best practices and federal requirements to protect your data.
The security of Census Bureau systems is a top priority, and our IT infrastructure is designed to defend against and contain cyberthreats. We continually refine our approach to identifying, preventing, detecting, and responding to these threats.