Census 2020 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will Census 2020 ask about citizenship?
No. You will not be asked to identify whether you, or anyone else in your household, is a citizen on the decennial census. Learn more at this page from the U.S. Census Bureau. See what questions will be asked and why on this U.S. Census Bureau page.
2. What will be on the questionnaire?
You can see the questions that will be asked, the options for the answers, and an explanation of why each question is asked at this U.S. Census Bureau website.
3. If I’m not a citizen do I still complete the census?
Yes. The decennial census is a count of everyone who is in the United States, regardless of their citizenship or residency status. Learn more at this page from the U.S. Census Bureau.
4. How long will it take to fill out the census questionnaire?
Approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of your household. See what questions will be asked and why on this U.S. Census Bureau page.
5. When will I get my invitation to complete the census?
Most of us will receive a mailing on March 12. You will receive reminders each week, including a paper mailing if you don’t respond after a certain point. Enumerators will come to households that haven’t completed their questionnaires beginning on may 13. The U.S. Census Bureau encourages each of us to respond as early as possible. You can find more details about dates on this page.
6. I heard this census will be online. What if I don’t have access to the Internet?
First, depending on where you live you may actually receive a paper form if many others around you also don’t have access to the Internet (among other things). You can see what format you will receive by typing your address into this website
Second, you can call to complete the census. Someone will walk you through the entire questionnaire, and your responses are confidential.
Third, you can look at our Census Events Calendar for a Census Completion Event near you.
7. When can I fill out the 2020 Census?
As soon as you receive the invitation in the mail.
8. How long we have to fill it out after receipt of the card?
Follow-up mailings (either invitation or paper form, whichever was first mailing) each week until April, when paper forms will be mailed. Census Enumerators will start coming to addresses in May, depending on location. See more about the timeline at this U.S. Census Bureau page.
9. What if I don’t speak English?
First, you may receive your mailing in the language you speak depending on where you live. You will be able to complete the census online in 13 languages. This U.S. Census Bureau page has guides in 59 languages that you can use to complete your census questionnaire.
10. What if I don’t receive an invitation to complete the census questionnaire?
You can go online and complete your questionnaire. This video shows you exactly how you can do that.
11. What kind of mailing will I or someone I’m working with get?
You can see what format you will receive by typing your address into this website.
12. How can I check on the status of my job application?
Applicants can check the status of their applicant by visiting www.2020census.gov/jobs and selecting Returning Applicants and logging into their 2020 Census profile.
From this screen they can see their application status and update their application.
Once the application is complete and ready for selection the application status should reflect: Available
Applicant's with this selection status have completed all elements of the application process and are available for selection.
Please in mind the following timeline on our recruiting, selection and training schedule.
For additional assistance, please call the recruiting line at 1855-JOB-2020.