Article 1, section 2 of the US Constitution empowers Congress to carry out a complete count of every person living in the United States of America. This count is referred to as the Census. The Census has been conducted every 10 years for the past 230 years. All residents, including non-citizens, children and seniors are counted.
U.S. Census data is used to allocate over $675 billion worth of federal funds. 132 federal programs use this data to determine the distribution of the funds.Timeline For the 2020 Census
The census officially begins April 1. But you can start before that. In mid-March, the Census Bureau will send letters instructing people how to take the survey online. In April, the bureau will follow up by sending a PAPER questionnaire to people who did not respond online. In May and June, it will conduct in-person interviews with people who have not responded.
Do not wait! It is SAFE and required for every household to complete the census survey. There is NO citizenship question on the form. By law, your information can only be used to obtain an accurate count.
Letter with info to take survey online
March 16th – 24th, 2020
Reminder letter to non-respondents
Postcard to non-respondents
April 2020
Letter & paper questionnaire to non-respondents
In-person interviews ofnon-respondents
The results of the census every 10 years drive two key factors: Funding for federal programs and representation in Washington, D.C.
If we are undercounted in New York, people will be deprived of education, health care, food and shelter, and we will have fewer elected officials in the Capitol to fight for us.
In 2010, 76 percent of New Yorkers responded to the survey, and it led to more than $73 billion in census-allocated federal funds. If we could get the response rate up to 85 percent, it could mean an additional $9 billion. It's a matter of the share the state deserves.
Determines representation in government
Census data is also used to redraw legislative districts. New York’s Congressional, State Senate and State Assembly districts will be redrawn in 2021 based on data compiled from the Census. Based on trends in population and undercounting, New York is projected to lose one – possibly two – Congressional seats.
For the first time, people will be able to fill out the census survey online, in addition to by mail or by telephone. The Census Bureau will begin sending mail out in waves to all residents in the middle of March. The first day that individuals can complete the Census online is March 12th. Individuals who do not initially respond will be sent multiple reminder mailings and may be contacted at home by a Census Enumerator.
There are four easy ways to complete your census form. Choose what is most convenient or makes you most comfortable. But do it as soon as possible, and encourage your family and friends to do it, too.