Counting people during the census can be a complicated process. We’re listening to our community partners to track questions and issues as they arise and provide answers or solutions whenever possible.
We’ll be adding to this page on a regular basis. If you have a question, look for an answer below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
2020 Census Form Questions
- Household Population Question
- Additional People Question
- Ownership or Rental of Unit Question
- Telephone Number Question
- Name Question
- Sex Question
- Age and Date of Birth Question
- Hispanic, Latino or Spanish Origin Question
- Race Question
- How should a person from Mexico, or anyone who is of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin, answer the Race question on the form?
- Why do they ask people living or staying in the household to identify their race(s)?
- Is the race of the household determined based on the race(s) selected by Person 1 on the 2020 Census form?
- Do I have to enter something into the text boxes after selecting my race in order to be able to move to the next question?
- How should I answer the race question if I am Middle Eastern or North African?
- Questions for Persons 2-6
COVID-19
- What delays are taking place due to COVID-19?
- Has the Census Bureau changed the way it will conduct enumeration at group quarters due to COVID-19?
- What has changed with how the Census Bureau works with service providers (shelters, soup kitchens, etc.)?
- How will the Census count college students who had to move out early from their college residence facilities due to COVID-19?
- Will Census Bureau field staff still visit households that haven’t completed the survey for their household by the end of April?
- Is it true that you have to complete the Census in order to receive the “stimulus” checks from the federal government in response to COVID-19?
- People who do not regularly live at my house are now temporarily living here due to COVID-19. Where should they be counted?
Data Security & Privacy
Census Forms and Mailings
- What will the 2020 Census invitation letter look like?
- What will the envelope containing the 2020 Census invitation letter look like?
- Where can I pick up a 2020 Census paper form to fill out?
- I received a paper questionnaire in the mail. Can I still respond online?
- Can I complete the paper form if there are more than six people in my home?
- How do I correct a mistake on the online form?
Who to Count in a Household
- What does “most of the time” mean when determining who should be counted in the household?
- If I am temporarily living in someone else's home, where do I get counted?
- Which members of my household should I include on my 2020 Census form?
- Will people who are not United States citizens or legal residents be counted in the Census?
- Are babies counted as part of our household? If so, how?
- If the members of a household recently moved, where should they be counted?
- Where should college students be counted?
- People who do not regularly live at my house are now temporarily living here due to COVID-19. Where should they be counted? Show all articles ( 1 )
Census Timeline & Process
- When is the census online form available?
- When will I receive my census invitation letter?
- When will 2020 Census paper forms be mailed out?
- When will census workers start knocking on doors of homes that haven’t completed the Census?
- What can I do to prevent Census staff from visiting my house?
- Do I have to complete the 2020 Census by April1?
- What delays are taking place due to COVID-19?
Scams & Misinformation
Citizenship
Official Census Support