The Census of Governments identifies the scope and nature of the nation's state and local government sector; provides authoritative benchmark figures of public finance and public employment; classifies local government organizations, powers, and activities; and measures federal, state, and local fiscal relationships.

The United States Code, Title 13, Section 161, requires that this census be taken.

In order to conserve taxpayer time and money, the Census Bureau has moved away from paper-based data collection to the online-based Respondent Portal. The Respondent Portal is a single point of access for all Census surveys, managed through an account that you create and to assist respondents with reporting online.  Each survey has a unique authentication code that will securely link to your account, which will be provided to you in an email.

See the appropriate program links below if you are trying to respond. Each program also has helpful links to brochures, letters, materials, FAQs, and contact information.

Title 13 United States Code, Sections 161 and 182, authorizes the Census Bureau to conduct this collection and request your voluntary assistance.

These data are subject to provisions of Title 13 United States Code, Section 9(b), exempting data that are customarily provided in public records from rules of confidentiality. Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data.

Below are a few common items you can use to verify the legitimacy of this survey:

1. Ensure the Web address provided in the letter is a "census.gov" domain.
   
2. Reporting information is provided in the letter.
   
3. On the log-in screen, a warning message should be present stating the respondent is accessing a U.S. Government computer.
   
4. Additionally, the upper right corner of the page should display the OMB eight-digit number and expiration date. This number indicates that the OMB has approved the survey and has confirmed there is a need to collect the information.
   
5. The bottom of the log-in screen should have a link for the “Burden Statement” which also contains the OMB eight-digit number.