Spotlight On
2020 Census
How do I complete the questionnaire? https://my2020census.gov/
It’s quick and easy. The 2020 Census questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to complete.
- It’s safe, secure, and confidential. Your information and privacy are protected.
- Your response helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads, and other public services.
- Results from the 2020 Census will be used to determine the number of seats each state has in Congress and your political representation at all levels of government.
What questions are asked?
- How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2020?
Here, you’ll count everyone living and sleeping in your home most of the time, including young children, roommates, and friends and family members who are living with you, even temporarily.
Why we ask this question: This helps to count the entire U.S. population and ensures that people are counted where they live most of the time.
- Were there any additional people staying here on April 1, 2020, that you did not include in Question 1?
Mark all that apply: Children, related or unrelated, such as newborn babies, grandchildren, or foster children; relatives, such as adult children, cousins, or in-laws; nonrelatives, such as roommates or live-in babysitters, and people staying here temporarily.
Why we ask this question: To count everyone just once and in the right place. To count everyone in your home who should be counted is counted—including newborns, roommates, and those who may be staying with you temporarily.
- Is this house, apartment, or mobile home …
…Owned by you or someone in this household with a mortgage or loan (including home equity loans)? Is it owned by you or someone in this household free and clear (without a mortgage or loan)? Rented? Occupied without payment of rent?
Why we ask this question: This produces statistics about homeownership and renting. The rates of homeownership serve as one indicator of the nation’s economy. They also help with administering housing programs, planning, and decision-making.
- What is your telephone number?
Why we ask this question: The Census Bureau asks for your phone number in case there are any questions about your census form. They only contact you for official census business, if needed.
- What is Person 1’s name?
If there is someone living here who pays the rent or owns the residence, start by listing him or her as Person 1. If the owner or the person who pays the rent does not live here, start by listing any adult living there as Person 1. There will be opportunities to list the names of additional members of your household.
Why we ask this question: To establish one central figure as a starting point.
- What is Person 1’s sex?
Mark ONE box: male or female.
Why we ask this question: To create statistics about males and females, which can be used in planning and funding government programs. This data can also be used to enforce laws, regulations, and policies against discrimination.
- What is Person 1’s age and what is Person 1’s date of birth?
Note Person 1’s age as of April 1, 2020. For babies less than 1 year old, do not write the age in months. Write 0 as the age.
Why we ask this question: To better understand the size and characteristics of different age groups. Agencies use this data to plan and fund government programs that support specific age groups, including children and older adults.
- Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?
NOTE: Please answer both Question 8 about Hispanic origin and Question 9 about race. For this census, Hispanic origins are not races. Hispanic origin can be viewed as the heritage, nationality, lineage, or country of birth of the person or the person’s parents or ancestors before arriving in the United States. People who identify as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish may be any race.
Why we ask this question: These responses help create statistics about this ethnic group. This helps federal agencies monitor compliance with anti-discrimination provisions, such as those in the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act.
- What is Person 1’s race?
Mark one or more boxes AND print origins: White; Black or African American; American Indian or Alaska Native; Chinese; Filipino; Asian Indian; Vietnamese; Korean; Japanese; other Asian; Native Hawaiian; Samoan; Chamorro; other Pacific Islander; some other race.
Why we ask this question: To create statistics about race and to analyze other statistics within racial groups. This data helps federal agencies monitor compliance with anti-discrimination provisions, such as those in the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act.
- Print name of Person 2.
Here, you will list the next person in your household.
Why we ask this question: The 2020 Census asks information about each member of your household. This question identifies the next person to refer to in the ensuing questions. This process repeats for each person in your home.
- Does this person usually live or stay somewhere else?
Mark all that apply: no; yes, for college; yes, for a military assignment; yes, for a job or business; yes, in a nursing home; yes, with a parent or other relative; yes, at a seasonal or second residence; yes, in a jail or prison; yes, for another reason.
Why we ask this question: To ensure that the Census Bureau is counting everyone once, only once, and in the right place. If you have questions about whether or not to include someone, visit Who To Count.
- How is this person related to Person 1?
Mark ONE box; opposite-sex husband/wife/spouse; opposite-sex unmarried partner; same-sex husband/wife/spouse; same-sex unmarried partner; biological son or daughter; adopted son or daughter; stepson or stepdaughter; brother or sister; father or mother; grandchild; parent-in-law; son-in-law or daughter-in-law; other relative; roommate or housemate; foster child; other nonrelative.
Why we ask this question: To develop data about families, households, and other groups. Relationship data is used in planning and funding government programs that support families, including people raising children alone.
What Happens to Your Answers?
Your personal information is kept confidential. The Census Bureau is bound by federal law to protect your information, and your data is used only for statistical purposes.
Your responses are compiled with information from other homes to produce statistics, which never identify your home or any person in your home.
COVID-19 is having a huge impact on everyone’s lives. The US Government and others are reaching out to help people get through this difficult time. The links below help explain some of the assistance available and provide information on what you can do and what you need to know.
VCEDA e-News Briefs
Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority
This links to their listing of COVID-19 assistance resources for businesses and employers.
U.S. Department of Labor
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
IRS Economic Relief to Individuals
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus
Government Response to Coronavirus