Overview

What is the 2020 Census?

• The census is a short questionnaire administered by the federal government every 10 years with the goal of creating an accurate population count.

• Beginning in mid-March, you will receive a notice in the mail to complete the 2020 census. After receiving this notice, you can respond to the census online, via a paper form or by calling a 1-800 number to provide your response over the phone. Responding to the census not only is your civic duty, it also is required by law.

• If you are not a West Virginia resident, it’s important to note that students living away from their parents’ or guardians’ home while attending college are counted at the on- or off-campus residence where they live on April 1, 2020. This means you should respond to the census based on your residence while attending school.

• Parents or guardians should not include students as part of their household when responding to the census unless the student is living with them on April 1, 2020.

Take the 2020 census

Why the Census Counts

• The information gathered through the census provides the basis for distributing more than $900 billion in federal funds annually to communities across the country.

• These funds support vital programs for our state, such as education (including federal student financial assistance), employment, healthcare, housing and public policy programs.
  
  View this report for information on how the census influences the distribution of federal funds.

• Census information also is used to redraw the boundaries of congressional and state legislative districts and accurately determine the number of congressional seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Timeline

Date	Event
January 21	The U.S. Census Bureau begins counting the population in remote Alaska.
March 12 – 20	Households will begin receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 census online, by phone or by mail.
April 1	Census Day is observed nationwide. By this date, every home will have received an invitation to participate in the 2020 census online, by phone or by mail. When you respond to the census, you'll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020.
April	Census takers will begin visiting college students who live on campus, people living in senior centers, and others who live among large groups of people. Census takers also will begin conducting quality check interviews to help ensure an accurate count.
May – July	Census takers will begin visiting homes that haven't responded to the 2020 census to ensure everyone is counted.
December	The Census Bureau will deliver apportionment counts to the President and Congress as required by law.
March 31, 2021	By this date, the Census Bureau will send redistricting counts to states. This information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes.