By April 1, 2020, households will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. You'll have three options for responding: online, by phone, or by mail.
Overall Timeline
Counting every person living in the United States is a massive undertaking, and efforts begin years in advance. Here's a look at some of the key dates along the way.
January – March 2019: The U.S. Census Bureau opens 39 area census offices. These offices open early to support Address Canvassing.
June – September 2019: The Census Bureau opens the remaining 200-plus area census offices. These offices support and manage the census takers who work all over the country to conduct the census.
August 2019: The Census Bureau conducts in-field address canvassing. Census takers visit areas that have added or lost housing in recent years to ensure that the Census Bureau's address list is up to date.
January 2020: The Census Bureau begins counting the population in remote Alaska. Advertising begins nationwide.
April 1, 2020: Census Day is observed nationwide. By this date, households will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. You'll then have three options for responding: online, by mail, or by phone.
April 2020: Census takers begin following up with households around selected colleges and universities. Census takers also begin conducting quality check interviews.
May 2020: The Census Bureau begins following up with households that have not responded.
December 2020: The Census Bureau delivers apportionment counts to the president by Dec. 31, 2020.
March 2021: Redistricting counts sent to the states by March 31, 2021.
Census Day 2020: April 1, 2020, marks Census Day, a key benchmark for the 2020 count. When completing the census, you'll note where you are living on April 1. That day will be celebrated with events across the country.