This year is a census year for the United States.  What this means is that the government will ask questions of each household/individual to gather statistics.  Originally, this was done strictly for taxation and representation purposes.  The census now also helps government officials make decisions on over 100 government funded programs and institutions, such as Medicaid, mental health services, Head Start, food stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), hospitals and emergency services, public schools, and public libraries.

Beginning on March 12, 2020, postcards will be sent to each household.  These postcards will have the web address where you can fill out the census questionnaire and a code to enter on that website.  The code helps the Census Bureau match addresses with census takers, so they can see where they may need to send people door to door.  If you do not receive a postcard or do not have a code, you can still fill out the questionnaire.  There will be an option to sign in without a code.  The questionnaire takes about ten minutes to fill out, if you are comfortable with computers.

Census Day is April 1, 2020.  The significance of Census Day is that questions on the census should be answered for what was true on April 1, 2020.  For example, if you have moved, you will need to list the address where you were living on April 1, 2020.  The census will primarily ask questions about your living situation, your financial situation, and your relationship to the people with whom you live.  It will NOT ask questions about citizenship.  Click here to see a sample of the census questionnaire.

Please do watch out for scammers at this time.  Here are some things you should know:

  • The Census Bureau will never call you on the phone or email you.
  • The Census Bureau will never ask for your social security number.
  • The Census Bureau will never ask for your bank information.
  • The Census Bureau will never ask for access to your computer.
  • The Census Bureau will send a postcard through the mail with information on how to log in.
  • The Census Bureau may send a paper questionnaire through the mail.
  • The Census Bureau may send a census taker to your dwelling to take the census in person.

If you need assistance logging in to the website, or if you just need access to a computer, please come and see us at the Library.  We can help!

Library Staff will also be hosting Census Day programs the week of Census Day.  We will provide you with information about the census, including why it is important.  We will also have computers on hand for you take the census that day.  Staff will be standing by to assist if you should have any questions or issues.  Census Day programs will be located in the Library’s Applegate Room.  The dates and times are as follows.  Click on the date to see it on the calendar.

Monday, March 30, 2020 – 1:00-3:00 pm

Thursday, April 2, 2020 – 6:00-8:00 pm

Saturday, April 4, 2020 – 2:00-4:00 pm

 

If you have additional questions about the census, you can visit the 2020 Census website.