2020 Census
Census Day is April 1, 2020!
Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a count, or a Census, of all individuals living in the United States and the five U.S. territories. Completing the Census is your civic duty, help us to ensure a complete count in Fridley! You can also learn more on the State of Minnesota’s 2020 Census website.
The 2020 Census has finished collecting responses.
Sign up to receive updates from the Census Bureau here, including when the 2020 Census results are available.
Why is the Census important to Fridley?
Areas of Fridley have been identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as being at risk for being under counted. Getting an accurate count of Fridley’s population is very important for a variety of reasons including making sure Fridley receives appropriate levels of funding and has accurate government representation. An inaccurate count in Fridley can create negative impact felt through the community for decades to come.
You can also learn more on the WeCount Fridley 2020 Census Flyer (PDF).
Census data collected will be used for:
- Representation: Census data determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as the size of voting districts for state and local governments. Minnesota is at risk of losing a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Funding: Census data guides approximately $675 billion in federal spending allocated to local communities each year, including more than $15 billion distributed to Minnesota communities. Even one missed person could mean forfeiting $28,000 in funding for the next ten years.
- Planning: Census data helps federal, state and local governments plan transportation, schools, hospitals, senior centers, emergency services and other needs to best serve changing demographics.
- Businesses: Census data assists businesses in investing in the community including locating businesses, factories and stores, recruiting employees and conducting market research.
Who gets Counted?
The Census counts every person living in the U.S. only once and according to where they are living or staying on April 1, 2020.
What does that mean for you?
As the Census Bureau advises:
- If you are filling out the census for your household, you should count anyone who is living there as of April 1, 2020. This includes anyone who is living and sleeping there most of the time.
- It is important to remember to count any children who are living with you. This includes: All children who live in your household, including grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and the children of friends. Children who split their time between households, if they are living with you on April 1, 2020. Newborn babies, even those who are still in the hospital on April 1, 2020.
Refer to the U.S. Census Bureau website for additional guidance on who to count.
The 2020 Census has finished collecting responses.
Sign up to receive updates from the Census Bureau here, including when the 2020 Census results are available.
2020 Census Timeline
Every household will have the option of responding to the 2020 Census online, by mail, or by phone.
The majority of addresses will receive their first census invitation in the mail anytime between March 12-20, 2020. Individuals are encouraged to respond to the Census right away even if you have not received an invitation in the mail. Additional reminders will be sent in the mail to households that have not responded and, if needed, with an in-person visit.
You can respond online at my2020census.gov or by calling 844-330-2020.
On or Between | You Will Receive |
---|---|
March 12-20, 2020 | An invitation to respond online to the 2020 Census |
March 16-24, 2020 | A reminder postcard |
If you haven’t responded | |
March 26 - April 3, 2020 | A reminder postcard |
April 8-16, 2020 | A reminder letter and paper questionnaire |
April 20-27, 2020 | A final reminder postcard |
After April 27, 2020 | In-person follow-up by Census worker |
Operational Adjustments Update Due to COVID-19
Census Self-Response & In Person Follow Up will now end September 30, 2020.
The U.S. Census Bureau continues to evaluate its operational plans to collect and process 2020 Census data during to the COIVD-19 Pandemic. On August 3, 2020 the U.S. Census Bureau announced that it will end Census self-response collection and in person count efforts on September 30, 2020 due to the hiring of additional employees to accelerate the Census process. You can still respond to the census online or over the phone until September 30. You can respond online at my2020census.gov or by calling 844-330-2020. Filling out the census online is currently the safest option with social distancing measures in place, for both our Fridley residents and Census Bureau staff. Census information is also available in 59 languages, learn more at 2020census.gov/en/languages.
In-person Count Changed to August through September
Census workers will be visiting addressing that have not responded to the Census from August through September for an in-person count. Filling out your Census form online right now is the safest option for our community. Information collected from the Census is used for population counts and is vital to ensure funding for emergency response services. Census workers take an oath to protect and keep private all the information they collect; it is confidential 2020census.gov/en/avoiding-fraud.html or call 800-923-8282.
Latest 2020 Census Updates
The 2020 Census has finished collecting responses.
Sign up to receive updates from the Census Bureau here, including when the 2020 Census results are available.
August Operational Adjustments Update Due to COVID-19
Census Self-Response & In Person Follow Up will now end September 30, 2020.
The U.S. Census Bureau continues to evaluate its operational plans to collect and process 2020 Census data during to the COIVD-19 Pandemic. On August 3, 2020 the U.S. Census Bureau announced that it will end Census self-response collection and in person count efforts on September 30, 2020 due to the hiring of additional employees to accelerate the Census process. You can still respond to the census online or over the phone until September 30. You can respond online at my2020census.gov or by calling 844-330-2020. Filling out the census online is currently the safest option with social distancing measures in place, for both our Fridley residents and Census Bureau staff. Census information is also available in 59 languages, learn more at 2020census.gov/en/languages.
In-person Count Changed to August through September
Census workers will be visiting addressing that have not responded to the Census from August through September for an in-person count. Filling out your Census form online right now is the safest option for our community. Information collected from the Census is used for population counts and is vital to ensure funding for emergency response services. Census workers take an oath to protect and keep private all the information they collect; it is confidential 2020census.gov/en/avoiding-fraud.html or call 800-923-8282.
Citizenship Question
There will be no citizenship question on the 2020 Census.
The Department of Justice confirmed the 2020 Census would not include a citizenship question. The Supreme Court also rejected the Department of Commerce’s argument that the citizenship question was added to enforce and protect voting rights.
Star Tribune: 2020 Census to be printed without citizenship question
Address Canvasing
You may see U.S. Census Bureau workers in your neighborhood conducting address canvassing. Address canvassing is scheduled to begin the week of Aug. 12, 2019. This will help ensure that Minnesota gets a complete count in the 2020 Census. Watch the Address Canvassing informational video to learn more!
What is address canvassing?
Address canvassing is the process by which the U.S. Census Bureau validates, corrects, or deletes existing Census Bureau addresses, adds missing addresses, and adds or corrects locations of specific addresses before a decennial census. In previous address canvassing operations, field representatives traversed every road and visited each residential address in the United States. At this time, only select addresses will be canvassed. Census Bureau employees will not be asking for information about individuals but rather about addresses and habitable locations.
How to verify employment
Each temporary decennial Census employee will have an official identification card with the employee’s name, picture, and an expiration date. Regional level staff can be identified by their Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Card. Both temporary and regional level staff can be identified by their laptop computer with a Census Bureau logo on the top, and a black canvas bag with a Census Bureau logo.
American Communities Survey
You may see U.S. Census Bureau workers in your neighborhood or be getting mail from the U.S. Census Bureau about the American Community Survey (ACS). Every year, the U.S. Census Bureau also conducts the American Community Survey (ACS) by randomly sampling 3.5 million households. Unlike the 10-year census, this survey continues all year, every year. Answers are collected to create up-to date statistics used by federal, state, tribal and local leaders to help determine how more than $675 billions in federal and state funds are disturbed. When you respond to the ACS, you are doing your part to help your community receive appropriate levels of funding and ensure decisions in your community are made using the best data available. If residents are selected, they are encouraged to fill out the ACS as well as the 2020 Census next year. Learn more about the ACS here.
2020 Census Videos
Learn more about the 2020 Census through videos on the State of Minnesota's 2020 Census website.
2020 Census Factsheets & Resources
Factsheets
All documents are PDFs.
- WeCount Fridley 2020 Census Flyer
- Census 101
- How the 2020 Census will invite everyone to respond
- Respond to 2020 Census in Spanish (English & Español)
- Census Confidentiality
- 2020 Census Draft Questionnaire
- Why We Ask Each 2020 Census Question
Factsheets (Español)
All documents are PDFs.
- Información básica sobre el censo (Español)
- Usted puede responder al Censo del 2020 en español. (Español)
- El Censo del 2020 y la Confidencialidad (Español)
Websites
2020 Census Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Census Bureau ask the questions they do?
The Census Bureau asks the questions they do on the surveys because of federal needs and for community benefits. The information the Census Bureau collects helps determine how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding annually is spent on infrastructure and services. Your answers help federal, state and local leaders make decisions about schools, hospitals, emergency services, roads, bridges, job training centers, and many other projects that affect your community.
See why the Census Bureau asked each question they did in 2010. The questions for 2020 census forms were sent to Congress in March 2018.
I thought that the census was only 10 minutes, 10 questions. Why might I also be getting something called the American Community Survey?
Launched in 2005, the American Community Survey (ACS) is part of the decennial census program and is essentially what used to be the Census long form. It collects more detailed information on housing, population, and the economy. ACS data are collected continuously throughout the year and throughout the decade from a sample (fraction) of the population (about 3 million addresses annually).
As of now, we estimate approximately 250,000 households will receive both the ACS and the 2020 Census form.
Like the 2020 Census, participation in the ACS is mandatory by law and the American public’s participation is vital to provide data that impacts policy decisions on the local, state, and federal level.
Are my answers safe and secure?
The Census Bureau collects data for statistical purposes only. They combine your responses with information from other households or businesses to produce statistics, which never identify your household, any person in your household, or business. Your information is CONFIDENTIAL. They never identify you individually.
Title 13 of the U.S. Code protects the confidentiality of all your information and violating this law is a crime with severe penalties. In addition, other federal laws, including the Confidential Statistical Efficiency Act and the Privacy Act reinforce these protections. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both.
It is against the law to disclose or publish any of the following information:
- Names
- Addresses including GPS coordinates
- Social Security numbers
- Telephone numbers
How does the U.S. Census Bureau help me identify fraudulent activity and scams?
The Census Bureau will never ask for:
- full social security number
- money or donations
- anything on behalf of a political party
- your full bank or credit card account numbers
If you are visited by someone from the United States Census Bureau, here are some RECOGNITION TIPS to assure the validity of the field representative;
- Must present an ID Badge which contains: photograph of field representative, Department of Commerce watermark, and expiration date.
- Will provide you with supervisor contact information and/or the regional office phone number for verification, if asked.
- Will provide you with a letter from the Director of the Census Bureau on U.S. Census Bureau letterhead.
- May be carrying a laptop and/or bag with a Census Bureau logo.
When will the results from the census be available?
The nation should see the very first results from the 2020 Census in the form of total population counts for the nation and each state in 2021.
In 2021 each state receives local-level 2020 Census data on race and the voting age population. As required by law, the Census Bureau will provide these key demographic data to the states (on a state-by-state basis), so the state governments can redraw the boundaries of their U.S. Congressional and state legislative districts. Public Law 94-171 requires that the redistricting data must be delivered to state officials responsible for legislative redistricting within one year of Census day or no later than April 1, 2021.
Sign up here for Census updates.
What if I am away from my residence on April 1, 2020?
People away from their usual residence on Census Day, such as on a vacation or a business trip, visiting, traveling outside the U.S., or working elsewhere without a usual residence there (for example, as a truck driver or traveling salesperson) are counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of the time.
If this applies to you, please note, for the 2020 Census, you will be able to complete your census forms online, at your convenience.
What are the residency rules for Census Day 2020?
For guidance on this topic, please see the document 2020 Residency Rules issued February 7, 2018. You can also reference our "Who Gets Counted" page, as well as the similar page on the Census Bureau's website.
What if I still have questions or concerns?
As we get closer to Census 2020, we will add further FAQs to this page as needed, so you know what to expect from the upcoming count. However, please contact us if you have any remaining questions not addressed here.