United States Census Bureau | An official website of the United States Government

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

census.gov Notification

Due to the lapse of federal funding, portions of this website are not being updated. Any inquiries submitted via www.census.gov will not be answered until appropriations are enacted.

Skip Header

Partners Researchers Educators Survey Respondents

Explore Census.gov for...

Partners
Researchers
Educators
Survey Respondents

News NAICS Codes Jobs About Us Contact Us Help

Topics

Data & Maps

Surveys & Programs

Resource Library

Search data, events, resources, and more

Helpful Links

Advanced Data Search Get Survey Help International Database (IDB) American Community Survey (ACS) Census Records & Genealogy

Helpful Links

Advanced Data Search Get Survey Help International Database (IDB) American Community Survey (ACS) Census Records & Genealogy

Topics

Browse our topics and subtopics to find information and data.

View All Topics and Subtopics Index A to Z

Age and Sex Business and Economy Education Emergency Management / Disasters Employment Families and Living Arrangements Geography Health Hispanic Origin Housing

Income and Poverty International Trade Migration/Geographic Mobility Population Population Estimates Public Sector Race Redistricting Research Voting and Registration

Data & Maps

Access demographic, economic and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Explore census data with visualizations and view tutorials.

Explore data on data.census.gov View all data resources

Census Academy Combining Data Data Tools and Apps Datasets Developers Experimental Data Products Interactive Maps

Mapping Files Profiles Related Sites Software Tables Training and Workshops Visualizations

Surveys & Programs

Our surveys provide periodic and comprehensive statistics about the nation. This data is critical for government programs, policies, and decision-making.

Survey Help View all Surveys & Programs

Economic Census Household Pulse Survey International Programs Metro and Micro Areas Population Estimates Population Projections Small Area Income and Poverty Statistics of U.S. Businesses Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)

Resource Library

Browse our collection of stories and more.

View all library resources Glossary

America Counts: Stories Audio Blogs By the Numbers Facts for Features Fact Sheets Infographics and Visualizations

Photos Publications Spotlights Stats for Stories Training (Census Academy) Videos Working Papers

Topics

Data & Maps

Surveys & Programs

Resource Library

Partners Researchers Educators Survey Respondents

News NAICS Codes Jobs About Us Contact Us Help

View All Topics and Subtopics Index A to Z

Age and Sex Business and Economy Education Emergency Management / Disasters Employment Families and Living Arrangements Geography Health Hispanic Origin Housing Income and Poverty International Trade Migration/Geographic Mobility Population Population Estimates Public Sector Race Redistricting Research Voting and Registration

Explore data on data.census.gov View all data resources

Census Academy Combining Data Data Tools and Apps Datasets Developers Experimental Data Products Interactive Maps Mapping Files Profiles Related Sites Software Tables Training and Workshops Visualizations

Survey Help View all Surveys & Programs

2020 Census 2026 Census Test 2030 Census American Community Survey (ACS) American Housing Survey (AHS) Annual Business Survey (ABS) Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES) County Business Patterns (CBP) Current Population Survey (CPS) Economic Census Household Pulse Survey International Programs Metro and Micro Areas Population Estimates Population Projections Small Area Income and Poverty Statistics of U.S. Businesses Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)

View all library resources Glossary

America Counts: Stories Audio Blogs By the Numbers Facts for Features Fact Sheets Infographics and Visualizations Photos Publications Spotlights Stats for Stories Training (Census Academy) Videos Working Papers

Census.gov /
Newsroom /
Press Kits /
What is the 2020 Census?

What is the 2020 Census?

Skip Navigation

Within Newsroom

About the Newsroom
Facts for Features
News Releases
Press Kits
Stats for Stories
Tip Sheets

Within Newsroom

About the Newsroom
Facts for Features
News Releases
Press Kits
Stats for Stories
Tip Sheets

What is the 2020 Census?

October 03, 2019

The U.S. Census counts every resident living in the United States. It is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution and takes place every 10 years.

Video

Video

2020 Census: What is the Census?

September 17, 2019
Video

2010 Census: The U.S. Census and the Amazing Apportionment Machine

December 08, 2010

Through animation, the U.S. Census Bureau explains how it uses the apportionment formula to ensure equal representation for all.

Fact Sheets

Census 101: What You Need to Know

The 2020 Census is closer than you think! Here’s a quick refresher of what it is and why it’s essential that everyone is counted.
The 2020 Census at a Glance

Overview of the 2020 Census. Counting everyone once, only once, and in the right place.
Road to the 2020 Census Timeline

2020 Census operational timeline.
How the 2020 Census Will Invite Everyone to Respond

Nearly every household will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census either in the mail or from a census taker.

News Releases

Census Bureau Press Briefing Marks One Year Out From Census Day

The U.S. Census Bureau provided an operational update on the status of 2020 Census operations.
Census Bureau Unveils 2020 Census Communications Campaign Platform

The U.S. Census Bureau announced its long-planned communications campaign platform: “Shape your future. START HERE.”

Related Information

Questions Asked

Planning and management information specific to the 2020 Census - timelines, cost savings, program briefings, and the 2020 Census infographic.
2020 Census press kits
Why We Conduct the Decennial Census
Census History: Overview 1790 to 2010

Learn about all the decennials from 1790 to present. Find key population stats, data, questionnaires, maps, mapping files, technical documents, news and more.
2020census.gov

The 2020 Census marked the 24th count of the U.S. population and the first time that households were invited to respond to the census online.

America Counts Stories

America Counts Story

Constitution Day and the Census

September 16, 2019

Sept. 17 is a reminder that the Founding Fathers suggested most of the original census questions and devised how the count determines political representation.