FAQs
About 2020 Census
The census is mandated under Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. The census is a foundation of our democracy and helps make important decisions that directly impact the economy and individual lives. Without an accurate census, cities and regions may out on vital federal and state funding, which may lead to restrictions in potential growth.
Reliable information provided helps communities to gain access to the state and federal funding they need to make decisions, especially data-informed decisions about serve to grow the economy. Census data informs decisions about health care, education, jobs, political representation, roads, businesses and more. Each year, more than $675 billion in federal funding returns to states and local communities based on census data, and the census will directly impact political representation for the next decade.
The 2020 Census sample bilingual questionnaire is available online.
To learn about the questions to be asked, visit Questions Asked, located on the the 2020 Census website.
The main government website, with facts, figures, important dates and other information, is accessible online.
About participation and potential fraud
Everyone living in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) is required by law to be counted in the 2020 Census. You can learn more via the 2020 Census Who To Count page.
How you respond depends on where you are living most of the time. Census counts people where they live or stay on Census Day, which will be April 1. This means college students are mostly counted where they go to school. If you:
- Live with your parents or guardians while attending SDSU, you will be counted at your parent or guardian’s address.
- Began the semester living on campus, you will be counted by the university’s residential staff.
- Live off-campus alone or with roommates, you will be counted as part of that house or housing unit.
Yes. No matter how the responses are provided, information about you is protected by law and is confidential. Your responses cannot be used against you by any government agency or court, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Yes. People who are living in emergency and transitional shelters that provide sleeping facilities for people experiencing homelessness should be counted at the shelter.
Also, students experiencing an emergency related to food or housing security are encouraged to contact the Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT), a group of on- and off-campus members who connect SDSU students with resources when they have an immediate need. Email [email protected] or visit the ECRT website for more information.
The U.S. Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the 2020 Census. Further, during the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask for the following information:
- Social Security number
- Bank accounts or credit card numbers
- Money or donations
- The U.S. Census Bureau also will not contact you on behalf of a political party.
Also, be attentive to phishing attempts via email. Phishing is a criminal act in which someone tries to get your information by pretending to be a trusted entity. Such emails often direct you to a website that looks legitimate but is, in fact, fake. Such sites may be infected with malware.
If someone arrives at your home seeking information on behalf of the U.S. Census Bureau, check to make sure that they have a valid ID badge, with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. If you still have questions about their identity, you can call 800-923-8282 to speak with a local U.S. Census Bureau representative.
If you suspect fraud, call 800-923-8282 to speak with a local U.S. Census Bureau representative. If it is believed that the individual who sought information is not a true representative of the bureau, report the situation to the local police department.
The U.S. Census Bureau will be conducting other surveys, including the American Community Survey, this year. It is important to participate in other bureau surveys if you are contacted. Everyone in the U.S., however, is still required to respond to the 2020 Census even if participating in other surveys administered by the bureau.
No, the U.S. Census Bureau has tools to remove duplicate responses and they would rather eliminate duplicates than not count you at all.
About my responses
The 2020 Census is available in languages that include English, Spanish, Chinese (simplified), Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, Tagalog, Haitian, Japanese and others.
No. The responses individuals provide to the 2020 Census are deemed both safe and secure. Under Title 13 of the U.S.Code, the Census Bureau cannot release identifiable information about individuals, households or businesses. The information you provide is also protected by federal law.
No. Your responses cannot be used for law enforcement purposes, or to determine your personal eligibility for government benefits. The responses your provided are protected by law, and are confidential. Your responses cannot be used against you by any government agency or court, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.