2020 Census: What We’re Asking

Your questions about when and how to take the 2020 Census, answered.

Your 2020 Census Questions Answered Responding to the 2020 Census is easy, safe, and important. Learn more about the questions we’ll ask and how your answers will be used. What Will I Be Asked? As required by the Census Act, the U.S. Census Bureau submitted a list of questions to Congress on March 29, 2018. Based on that list, the 2020 Census will ask: How many people are living or staying at your home on April 1, 2020. This will help us count the country’s population and ensure that we count people once, only once, and in the right place according to where they live on Census Day. Whether the home is owned or rented. This will help us produce statistics about homeownership and renters. The rates of homeownership serve as one indicator of the nation’s economy. They also help in administering housing programs and informing planning decisions. About the age of each person in the household. Similar to the recording of other demographic data such as the race and sex of each person, the U.S. Census Bureau creates statistics to better understand the size and characteristics of different age groups. Agencies use this data to plan and fund government programs that support specific age groups, including children and older populations. More Questions What Won't I Be Asked? The Census Bureau will never ask you for: Your Social Security number. Money or donations. Anything on behalf of a political party. Your bank or credit card account numbers. If you’ve been asked to provide any of these, please report it here. Help us spread the word about the 2020 Census. Share this on social media or forward it to a friend. Share This