Purpose of Decennial Census

The census is a count of every person who lives in the United States and its territories. In April 2020, you will be asked a few simple questions, like age, sex, and the number of people who live in your home, including children. The data collected in 2010 can be found by scrolling down on this page. Please be aware questions regarding those topics will be asked in 2020 Census questions.

Video - What is the 2020 Census?

Residents benefit from census data because it supports community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life and consumer advocacy. Local governments utilize census data to ensure adequate levels of service are being provided in the realm of public safety and to better plan for school facilities and hospitals. Real estate developers and city planners use the census to plan new homes and improve neighborhoods. Businesses utilize Census Bureau data to decide where to build factories, offices and stores, which then create jobs.

How To Participate

When it’s time to respond, most households will receive an invitation in the mail. Every household will have the option of responding online, by phone, or by mail. Depending on how likely your area is to respond online, you’ll receive either an invitation encouraging you to respond online or an invitation along with a paper questionnaire. To know more about how the US Census will be contacting residents, you may visit the following web page: How the 2020 Census will invite everyone to respond

Canvassing

In-Field Address Canvassing by field staff, known as listers, visit specific geographic areas within the Self-Response Type of Enumeration Area (TEA) where in-office methods could not assure a complete and accurate address list. Listers identify every place where people could live or stay, comparing what they see on the ground to the existing census address list and verifying, correcting, or adding address and location information, as appropriate. Listers knock on doors at every structure in order to verify or update information and inquire about additional living quarters in the structure and/or on the property. If the lister does not find anyone at home, they verify or update address information by observation. 

In the event you would like to verify the person visiting your home is in fact a census worker, you may verify employment by identifying the following items on the individual:

1. Official identification card with employees name, picture, and an expiration date.
2. Laptop computer carried by the employee, with a Census Bureau logo on the top
3. A black canvas bag with a Census Bureau logo

Confidentiality

Responses to the 2020 Census are safe, secure, and protected by federal law. To learn more about Title 13 of the U.S. Code regarding confidentiality of Census information, please visit the following web page: The 2020 Census and Confidentiality

Need more information? 

More information regarding the 2020 Census can be found online at www.2020Census.gov or by contacting the Regional Census Center at the contact information below:

Tasha Jenkins, Partnerships Specialist
Chicago Regional Census Center, U.S. Census Bureau
Phone: (920) 632-8292
Email: tasha.d.jenkins@2020census.gov