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2020 Census Resources

About the 2020 Census

The U.S. Census Bureau collects data on the people, economy, and country of the United States. Every 10 years, the Census Bureau counts the population in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. An invitation to respond to a short questionnaire is sent to each home online, by phone, or by mail. 

The first online census deadline is April 1, 2020. If you do not return the questionnaire, you can expect to receive a call or a home visit from census officials to help you to complete the questionnaire by phone or in person.

2020 Census Operational Adjustments Due to COVID-19

Public health and safety is absolutely critical at this moment of uncertainty. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Census Bureau has adjusted 2020 Census operations in order to: 

  • Protect the health and safety of Census Bureau employees and the American public. 
  • Implement guidance from federal, state, and local health authorities. 
  • Ensure a complete and accurate count of all communities.

Under the adjusted 2020 Census operational plan, field activities would resume after June 1, 2020, as Area Census Offices begin returning to full staff capacity. In-person activities, including enumeration, office work, and processing activities, will incorporate the most current guidance from authorities to ensure the health and safety of staff and the public.

Go here for a summary of the Census Bureau’s adjustments to the operations:  https://2020census.gov/en/news-events/operational-adjustments-covid-19.html?#. Should any additional adjustment become necessary, the Census Bureau will promptly publish the change in an updated document.

What Data Is Collected, and Why

The census data collected from the questionnaire is used by lawmakers, entrepreneurs, real estate developers, teachers, and others to provide daily services, products, and support people and communities. The census data is used to determine the amount of federal funding allocated to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources. It is also used to determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

What to Expect Before the April 1, 2020 First Online Census Deadline

Homes will begin receiving invitations to complete the 2020 Census in mid-March. When you respond to the census, you will tell the Census Bureau where you live and about everyone who is living with you as of Census Day, April 1st. The Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. If you complete the questionnaire online, you do not need to call, and door knockers will not be deployed to your home.  There are many community resources available if you do not have internet at home or a smartphone to complete the online survey. See the U.S. Census Bureau Resources and the Resources of MMTC’s Partners, noted below. 

Census Resources Available

For more information, check out the Census Bureau resources below.

U.S. Census Bureau Resources:

MMTC Partners’ 2020 Census Outreach Efforts

MMTC’s 2020 Census Resources and Outreach Efforts

In 2018, MMTC thought it important to expand our commitment to close the digital divide by helping communities of color prepare for, understand, and participate in the first-ever digital 2020 Decennial Census. 

This year, MMTC and more than 275 organizations and civic leaders have taken the Census Confidentiality Protection Pledge to work together during the 2020 Census: 1) to monitor for any breach of census data confidentiality; 2) to use our collective power and influence to prevent, block, and/or bring an end to any breach of the currently-established guarantee and understanding of the confidentiality of data collected as part of the 2020 Census; and 3) to emphasize publicly the critical importance of continued Census safety and security. Read more here: https://civilrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Census-Pledge-and-Sign-ons-3.30.2020-FINAL.pdf. 

MMTC participated in the launch of the Census Pledge social media campaign led by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, and MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund). 

MMTC’s education and outreach efforts included:

  • The 9th Annual Broadband and Social Justice Summit’s (BBSJ) Town Hall on Smart Cities, Elections, and Census, Oh My!: Paving the Path Toward Economic Opportunity in a Digital Economy,” February 6, 2018

The BBSJ Census Town Hall featured a discussion among a diverse group of experts and practitioners about the impact of big data and broadband on our nation’s most vulnerable communities, discussion of a proposal for an all-digital 2020 Census, voter protection in the upcoming elections, and their impact on civic participation by people of color. During the first part of the town hall, Maria Smith Dautruche, Vice President for Foundation Partnerships, National Urban League, presented on the “Digital Census 2020 and the Impact of Technology on Communities of Color.” 

The following organizations participated in the Town Hall: Asian Pacific American Advocates OCA, Brookings Institution, Connect DC, Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership (HTTP), National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), and National Urban League (NUL).
https://www.mmtconline.org/bbsj-digital-town-hall-smart-cities-elections-and-census-oh-my-paving-the-path-toward-economic-opportunity-in-a-digital-economy-bbsj-2018

  • MMTC Podcast interviews NUL and HTTP about the pending effect that the digital census will have on communities of color

The first interview featured a discussion with NUL Vice President of Partnerships and Advancement Maria Smith-Dautruche and NUL Senior Advisor to the 2020 Census Jeri Green, about the “Decennial Census” importance to Americans, how the data is used, and the issues that arise from an online census. The discussion addressed the changes to the 2020 Census race and ethnicity questions, the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to add a citizenship status question, the safety and integrity of census data, and the NUL’s partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau. 

https://www.talkshoe.com/episode/4860310


The second podcast interview was with Rosa Mendoza, HTTP Executive Director, who spoke about the Digital 2020 Census and the impact of technology on the Latino community. 

https://ww.talkshoe.com/episode/4860312

  • MMTC’s digital promotions featured links to the BBSJ Census Town Hall, MMTC Podcast interviews with HTTP and NUL, and features in the MMTC newsletters, Wakelet blog, and social media.

MMTC March 2018 Newsletter Features BBSJ Census Town Hall and MMTC Podcast Interviews with HTTP and NUL

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/MMTC-March-2018-Newsletter—Media–Telecom—Tech.html?soid=1103872774846&aid=H59d6nsFC20

MMTC February 2018 Wakelet Blog Features BBSJ Census Town Hall

https://wke.lt/w/s/CoofvY

MMTC March 2018 Wakelet Blog Features MMTC Podcast Interviews with HTTP and NUL

https://wke.lt/w/s/yic0LW