The 2020 Census is here!

Update 06/17/20: Have you completed your census form yet? If not, fill it out here. Starting in mid-July, census takers will begin visiting households who have not yet responded. All census staff have been trained on social distancing protocols and will be issued Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). However, due to the risks of COVID-19, it is important that people respond to the census proactively.

Have you heard about the Census? Whether the answer is yes or no, the Census is more than just a form! It is both an opportunity for civic engagement and an important tool with significant impacts on our daily lives.

Rooted in the principles of the Constitution, the Census is a national survey that aims to count each person living in the United States once every 10 years. By making this count, the Census records general changes in population size and location that take place over the course of a decade. The last Census occurred in 2010, and the next Census will happen on April 1, 2020. Hard copy census materials hit mailboxes on March 12.

The Census includes a new opportunity to complete the form online as opposed to mailing it in. The Census will ask questions about the number of people in your household, whether your home is owned or rented, and demographic information including age, gender, race, and ethnicity.  The Census will not ask questions about immigration status or citizenship, and the information provided in the Census is kept confidential.

To begin the Census, click here! All you need is your 12-digit Census ID to get started.

Learn more in this helpful video:

The Census is an important opportunity for each of us to ensure that our communities count when decisions are made about two key areas:

1. Representation
   Population size based on the Census is used to determine how many Members of Congress each state is able to send to Washington D.C. If it appears that our population in Minnesota goes down, we are at risk of losing a Representative and would have one less elected leader voicing our priorities and concerns to the federal government.
   
   
2. Resources
   States and cities receive federal funding per person based on Census data showing where people live. This money then gets funneled to communities for hospitals, schools, transportation, and more. For example, in 2016, Minnesota received over $15 billion based on information collected from the Census in 2010. These dollars went on to fund programs and projects like medical assistance, food support, student loans, and road construction.

Above: Habitat homeowners in Hugo gathered at their National Night Out event and talked about the Census.

We believe that it is important to have a complete and accurate count so our Census results best reflect who we are as community members and as Minnesotans. To kick off our engagement around the 2020 Census, Twin Cities Habitat sponsored six Habitat homeowners to host National Night Out events in their communities and reach out to their neighbors about the importance of the Census.

Photo, right: A Habitat homeowner handing out census flyers at their National Night Out event.

You can help make sure that every Minnesotan is counted in 2020 by volunteering, distributing materials, attending an event about the Census, or working for the Census. Want to earn extra income and help out in your community? The Census is currently hiring for various positions, including enumerator—a part-time, flexible position right in your neighborhood. 

Questions?

In the bottom right corner of this page, you'll see a round "We Count Minnesota" Census icon. Click it to open a chat box. You can ask any questions about the census you want, and members of the Minnesota census team will respond to you!

You can also check out these resources:

• Census Frequently Asked Questions
• Watch Census videos
• Work for the Census
• Get involved