For months now, communities around the state have been gearing-up as the 2020 United States Census gets underway. Conducted every 10 years and required by both the U.S. Constitution and federal law, the Census has long-range implications, for everything from the number of Representatives Ohio will have in the United States Congress, to helping determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year.
The COVID-19 Outbreak presents a unique challenge for the 2020 Census because, while in most years thousands of workers are canvassed in neighborhoods to conduct door to door surveys, the necessity to self-quarantine and social distance means those workers are unable to conduct on the ground work to complete the 2020 Census.
For the first time in 2020, there are now three ways to complete the Census form – through the mail, over the phone, and online.
Homes began receiving their invitation to respond to the 2020 Census between March 12-20. These official Census Bureau mailings will include detailed information and a Census ID for completing the Census online. During this time frame, some homes will receive a paper questionnaire (sometimes known as the census form). Please complete your form online, by phone, or by mail when your invitation to respond arrives. Visit my2020census.gov to begin.
Please note that if you are responding online, you must complete the census in one sitting, as you don't have the ability to save your progress. See the questions the census asks here.
The Census asks you to count everyone who is living in your home on April 1, 2020. However, if college students are currently living at home because they have been sent home due to the COVID-19 outbreak, they should NOT be included in the count. College students living in on-campus housing are counted through their university as part of the Group Quarters Operation, which counts all students living in university owned housing.
Currently, the planned completion date 2020 Census is July 31, 2020, however, that date can and will be adjusted if necessary as the situation evolves in order to achieve a complete and accurate count.
Without an accurate count, Ohio could miss-out on billions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funding. Completing the Census should take less than 10 minutes for an average household. Take the time, complete the Census, and help invest in Ohio’s future.