Today, April 1, is national U.S. Census Day. At this time, every household will have received an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. 

The 2020 Census counts every person living in the United States and five U.S. territories.

Filling out the census online is a short and easy process that will take approximately 10 minutes. One person should respond for each home. That person must be at least 15 years old. They should live in the home or place of residence themselves and know general information about each person living there.

The form asks a variety of questions including: how many people are currently living in your household, what kind of place you live (home, apartment, etc), your telephone number, and the names, gender, race and birthdays of all house occupants.

There is is no citizenship question included on the census.

You can view a sample form here.

All of your answers are confidential. The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. In fact, every employee takes an oath to protect your personal information for life.

The U.S. Census Bureau has counted the countries’ population every 10 years since 1790. This count is mandated by the constitution as it shapes many different aspects of our communities.

Overall, the census determines how $675 billion dollars of federal funding gets distributed. Data from the census also influences state House and Senate representation decisions over the next 10 years. Every person not counted in the community is a loss of more than $1,800 annually in state and federal funding.

To fill out the 2020 U.S. Census now, click here.

Note: 97.9 The Hill has been Chapel Hill and Orange County’s daily source for free local news since 1953. Please consider making a donation to continue supporting important local journalism like this.

Related Stories
‹
'Perfunctory' NC Redistricting Trial Results To Come by Next Week
North Carolina began a redistricting trial this week to rule whether new congressional maps unfairly gerrymander elections. The North Carolina State Supreme Court pushed back the March 2022 primary elections to May allowing the state trial courts to review lawsuits surrounding claims the district maps unfairly favor Republicans.
On Air Today: Rebecca Tippett of Carolina Demography
There are now more than 1 million people in North Carolina who identify as Hispanic, making it one of the faster growing populations in the state. Carolina Demography’s Rebecca Tippett joins 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell to share data from a new report.
September Redistricting Hearings Held for NC Maps Input
North Carolina legislators are going outside Raleigh to hear from residents about how General Assembly and congressional districts should be redrawn for the next decade. The House and Senate scheduled over a dozen public hearings for September, with the first occurring Wednesday evening in Caldwell County. Lawmakers ultimately will travel from Cullowhee to Wilmington and Elizabeth City, […]
Census Data: US Is Diversifying, White Population Shrinking
Written by MIKE SCHNEIDER No racial or ethnic group dominates for those under age 18, and white people declined in numbers for the first time on record in the overall U.S. population as the Hispanic and Asian populations boomed this past decade, according to the 2020 census data. The figures released Thursday by the U.S. […]
Census Data Kicks off Effort To Reshape US House Districts
Written by DAVID A. LIEB and NICHOLAS RICCARDI Redistricting season officially kicks off with the release of detailed population data from the U.S. Census Bureau that will be used to redraw voting districts nationwide — potentially helping determine control of the U.S. House in the 2022 elections and providing an electoral edge for the next […]
2020 Census: North Carolina Sees Population Increase, Gains Seat in U.S. House
As a result of the 2020 U.S. Census data, North Carolina is one of six states to gain seats in the reapportionment of the U.S. House of Representatives. Other states gaining seats include Texas, Florida, Colorado, Oregon, and Montana, while seven states lost seats.
What’s Behind the Growth Slump? Takeaways From Census Data
Written by NICHOLAS RICCARDI and MIKE SCHNEIDER The first batch of once-every-decade data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows a United States that is growing less quickly but still seeing its population shift to the South and the West. The data released Monday was relatively basic — containing national and state-level population figures and details of how they […]
2020 U.S. Census Collection Extended; North Carolina Still Lags in Response
After an unclear plan for the 2020 U.S. Census’ conclusion from the federal government, a judge recently declared its ending date will be extended to try and garner more responses. Held every ten years to get as accurate a tally of the United States’ population as possible, the Census began its count six months ago […]
North Carolina Could Lose Billions as 2020 Census Deadline Approaches
In late July it was estimated that North Carolina is at risk of losing more than $7 billion dollars in federal funding if the remaining four million uncounted residents do not participate in the 2020 Census before its deadline at the end of the month. In mid-August, the US Census Bureau moved the 2020 Census […]
2020 Census Day: How to Fill It Out
Today, April 1, is national U.S. Census Day. At this time, every household will have received an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail.  The 2020 Census counts every person living in the United States […]
›