The United States has counted its population every 10 years since 1790 — a process established by Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. 230 years later, the decennial census remains just as vital to American life.
The 2020 Census will help determine how billions of federal dollars flow into our states and communities every year for the next decade. These funds impact our schools, transportation and infrastructure, community resources, congressional representation and so much more.
The census takes part in two phases. First, every household receives an instructional letter from the Census Bureau and is given the opportunity to self-respond. For the first time in 2020, the census can be completed online or by phone in addition to by mail. In the second phase, enumerators are sent to follow up with households who have not completed the questionnaire.
Self-responses provide more complete and accurate information on our households, reducing the potential for our communities to be undercounted. That is why increasing our self-response rate is so crucial.
In 2010, the self-response rate in NYC was 62%, falling short of the national average of 76%. In 2020, New York deserves 100%, and your voice and participation makes this possible.
To complete the census:
- Fill your census questionnaire online
- Respond by phone at 844-330-2020
- Respond to mailing you received at your home
If you have questions about who to count, learn more here.
The census does not ask for your social security number, political beliefs, citizenship status or financial information. All information you provide is safe and secure, and the federal government is legally required to keep it private.
Thank you for making your voice count for New York’s future.
Sources:
https://2020census.gov/en/community-impact.html
https://2020census.gov/en/what-is-2020-census.html
https://www.ny.gov/programs/2020-census
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/census/index.page