COVID-19 Census Updates

While the Coronvirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused much uncertainty, difficulty, and hardship,  it is key to know that the 2020 Census is STILL HAPPENING. Updates and tools to communicate regarding the Census and COVID-19 can be found below.

Census Operational Updates

Self-Response

We are currently in the self -response phase of Census 2020. Anyone can respond at any time online or by phone, even if they don't have a Unique ID from a mailing. If they have received a paper form, it can be mailed at any time. All forms of response are open until September 30, 2020. For more information on responding to the census, visit this page.

College Students

Most college students are no longer on campus. College students still need to be counted where they were supposed to be on April 1, 2020 meaning at school. Households should NOT include these students on their form. Students living in on -campus housing will be counted by the university. Students living in off-campus housing need to fill out a census form for that address.

Field Operations

All Census Bureau field operations have been halted until at least June 1, 2020. This means that households that were supposed to receive a hand-delivered packet with their census information are delayed. This also means that Mobile Questionnaire Assistance Centers have been delayed, and the hiring, fingerprinting, and training of enumerators is delayed.

Group Quarters

Nursing homes, prisons, long -term care facilities, shelters, soup kitchens, etc. will all have procedures adjusted to ensure minimal in - person contact and delay any Bureau visits until after June 1, 2020.

Non -Response Follow -Up (NRFU), more commonly understood as Census Bureau Workers (enumerators) going door to door to collect Census responses from those who have not yet completed their form will begin August 11, 2020. It will continue until October 31, 2020. All forms of self-response (online, phone, and on paper) will also be open until September 30, 2020. 
In-Person Response

Social Media Operations Kit

Social Media Updates Kit

Census Outreach Ideas

Many in-person events hosted by Local Complete Count Committees, Community Organizations, or the Census Bureau have been cancelled for the safety and well-being of staff and attendees. Ensuring an accurate count is essential, so we hope some of the following ideas for outreach that do not involve in-person contact are helpful.

  • Ensure Census information and promotion is in whatever communications folks are tuning into for information about COVID-19 such as 1) local newspapers or neighborhood bulletins, 2) school newsletters, emails, or text messages, 3) county or city government communications, 4) Church or religious service emails, newsletters, or bulletins, or 5) afterschool program newsletters, emails, or text messages

  • Have census information present at food pick-up sites or distribute in food bags.

  • Place flyers or materials in businesses that are open like grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, or libraries.

  • Place flyers or yard signs on lamp posts, telephone poles, or trees on walking routes throughout neighborhoods. 

  • Continue posting on social media or emailing your network.

  • Utilize existing phone trees, or telephone networks for communications by deploying with a census message.

  • If church or other religious services are live-streamed, include in announcements or as a part of the service.

  • Free lesson plans and activities about the census are available for kids of all ages. census.gov/schools

  • Host a webinar for your community on how to complete the census and why it's important. Contact us for help!

  • Advertise that all xfinity hotspots are available to use free of charge, and comcast is offering 60 days of internet free which can be used to complete the census online at my2020census.gov.

  • Please plan on having in-person events in the Summer. This will hopefully be safe and feasible.

Every.
One.
Counts.
With your help we can ensure everyone counts in Census 2020!
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