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Remember 2020 Census, Officials Urge

  • 17 March 2020

News about COVID-19 has dominated headlines as the public health crisis continues. While deeply concerned about everyone's wellbeing and taking numerous precautions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Thomas Nelson officials in collaboration with local U.S. Census Bureau representatives also remind students and College personnel to participate in the 2020 Census.

The Census impacts the ability to secure funding for needed programs in our communities, and affects so much more. All households are receiving notification and instructions from the U.S. Census Bureau in the mail. Complete the 2020 Census form online, by phone or by mail.

  • March 12-20: Households received heads-up postcards from U.S. Census Bureau
  • March 23: Self-response began
  • March 30-April 1: Households receive reminders to respond. The U.S. Census Bureau, in collaboration with many nonprofits, will begin counting people experiencing homelessness
  • April 1: Census Day
  • April 8-16: Final postcard reminders mailed along with paper questionnaires
  • May 13-July 31: Census enumerators conduct door-to-door canvassing of households that have not responded.

Census resources:

  • Easy Online Complete Census Questionnaire
  • Video Tutorials in Various Languages
  • Mobile Questionnaire Assistance Centers

To answer common questions and assure people that it's safe to respond, the Census Bureau created a rumors website. Here are key concerns people have shared and responses from the Census Bureau.

  • Does the 2020 Census ask about citizenship status? No, the 2020 Census does not ask whether you or anyone in your home is a U.S. citizen.
  • Are non-citizens counted in the census? Yes, everyone counts! The 2020 Census counts everyone living in the country, including non-citizens.
  • Can my answers be shared with law enforcement or used against me? No, the law prevents the Census Bureau from sharing your information with law enforcement. Your answers cannot be used to impact your eligibility for government benefits. Your answers are only used to create statistics about our country. The Census Bureau is bound by Title 13 of the U.S. Code to protect your personal information and keep it strictly confidential.
  • Can I only take the census online? No, the 2020 Census will be available online, by phone, and by mail. Online and phone responses can be completed in 13 languages (English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Japanese). A paper form will be mailed to every house that hasn't responded already when we send our fourth mail piece out.
  • What questions WILL NOT be asked by the Census Bureau? During the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask you for your Social Security number, money or donations, anything on behalf of a political party, or your bank or credit card account numbers.

To learn more about the importance of the 2020 Census and see previous updates about the Census, CLICK HERE.