What Is the 2020 Census?

The 2020 Census counts every person living in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories.    

The count is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency. Each home will receive an invitation to respond to a short questionnaire—online, by phone, or by mail. Learn More

Ways To Respond

There are three ways to respond to the 2020 Census. By April 1, 2020, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. You will have three options for responding:

• Online.
• By phone.
• By mail.

Get Involved

Learn more about the Census and how it effects Wheat Ridge on our new resident engagement site, What’s Up Wheat Ridge! There you can guess the Wheat Ridge count, ask questions and learn more about the Census!

Important Dates

In mid-March, homes across the country will begin receiving invitations to complete the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail.    

2020

• January 21: The U.S. Census Bureau starts counting the population in remote Alaska. The count officially begins in the rural Alaskan village of Toksook Bay.
• March 12 - 20: Households will begin receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail.  
• March 30 - April 1: The Census Bureau will count people who are experiencing homelessness over these three days. As part of this process, the Census Bureau counts people in shelters, at soup kitchens and mobile food vans, on the streets, and at non-sheltered, outdoor locations such as tent encampments.
• April 1: Census Day is observed nationwide. By this date, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. When you respond to the census, you’ll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020.
• April - October: Self-response Continues Through October 31. Online, phone and mailed self-responses continue throughout the data collection process. Respond online today! 
• August 11 - October 31: Census takers will begin visiting homes that haven’t responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted. 
• October 31: Census Closes
• April 30, 2021: The Census Bureau will deliver apportionment counts to the President who will then deliver them to Congress within 14 days of receipt. 
• July 31, 2021: The Census Bureau will deliver local counts to each state so that legislative redistricting can begin. 
  

See all of the important Census dates for 2020 and 2021

Privacy & Security

The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. In fact, every employee takes an oath to protect your personal information for life.    

Learn More about how the Census Bureau protects your data.

Learn More about avoiding frauds and scams.