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1. What is the census?

The census is a count of every person who lives in the United States and its territories. It happens every 10 years. In early 2020, you will be asked to count everyone who lives in your home as of April 1. Responding to the 2020 Census is a chance to shape your future.

Census 101: What you need to know

2. When can I respond to the census?

Census Day is April 1 every 10 years.  The next Census Day is April 1, 2020.  In mid-March, community members will receive a letter with a website and password asking them to respond to the census online.  

How the Census will Invite Everyone to Respond

3. How do I complete the census?

For the first time in history, the census will be available online.  In mid-March, community members will receive a letter with a website and password to go online to complete the census.  Community members also have the option to participate by phone or request a paper copy.  

Sample Copy of the 2020 Census Questionnaire

4. Why is a complete and accurate census count important?

Having a complete count will help you, your family, and your neighbors receive more resources and have a stronger voice in the future of our community.

Census 101: What you need to know

5. What languages will be offered?

The online and phone response options will be in English and 12 other languages. They are English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese and Japanese.

The U.S. Census Bureau will also have print and video language guides in 59 languages including American Sign Language, braille, and large print guides.

6. I have a non-traditional living situation. Where should I be counted?

In general, you should count yourself where you live and sleep most of the time.  However, pay special attention if you are:

• Completing Your Household's Form.  When responding, count any children, including newborns, who usually live and sleep at your home - even if they’re not your own.  If they split time evenly between two households, count them where they are on April 1, 2020.”
• A Recent Mover.  Count yourself at your new address if you moved in by April 1, 2020.
• A Renter.  Count yourself where you live. Even though you don’t own the home, you need to participate. Don’t forget your family and roommates.
• A College Student.  If you don’t live in a dorm, count yourself at your off campus address - even if you go to your parents’ home for school breaks. This includes international students.
• A Service Member.  If you don’t live in military barracks - and you aren’t deployed or stationed outside the United States - count yourself where you live and sleep most of the time, whether on or off base.
• A Resident of a Group Facility.  For people in the following living situations on April 1, 2020, Census Bureau employees will work with a representative from your building to ensure you are
  counted. They may or may not ask you to complete an individual census form.
  • College dorms
  • Military barracks
  • Nursing homes
  • Group homes
  • Shelters
  • Psychiatric facilities
  • Correctional facilities

Where You Are Counted Matters

7. What if I don't complete the census?

The U.S. Census is required by the U.S. Constitution. If a household has not responded by the end of April, a census taker will visit the home to collect responses. These in-person visits will begin in May.

8. Will my personal information be safe?

Your responses to the 2020 Census are safe, secure, and protected by federal law. Your answers can only be used to produce statistics. They cannot be used against you by any government agency or court in any way - not by the FBI, not by the CIA, not by the DHS, and not by ICE.

The 2020 Census and Confidentiality

9. What's in it for me?

• Your responses inform where over $675 billion is distributed each year to communities nationwide for clinics, schools, roads, and more.
• Census data gives community leaders vital information to make decisions about building community centers, opening businesses, and planning for the future.
• Responding also fulfills your civic duty because it’s mandated by the U.S. Constitution. The United States has counted its population every 10 years since 1790.
• Your responses are used to redraw legislative districts and determine the number of seats your state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

10. What questions will be asked on the census?

The sample questionnaire is available on the City’s website in both English and Spanish.  Please note: Community members will not be asked about your citizenship status.

Additional information about the reason behind each question can be found on the United States Census Bureau website.

11. Why are these questions asked on the census?

The information below is from the United States Census Bureau:

1. How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2020?  Here, you’ll count everyone living and sleeping in your home most of the time, including young children, roommates, and friends and family members who are living with you, even temporarily.  
   
   Why we ask this question: This helps us count the entire U.S. population and ensures that we count people where they live most of the time as of Census Day (April 1, 2020).
   
   
2. Were there any additional people staying here on April 1, 2020, that you did not include in Question 1?  Mark all that apply: Children, related or unrelated, such as newborn babies, grandchildren, or foster children; relatives, such as adult children, cousins, or in-laws; nonrelatives, such as roommates or live-in babysitters, and people staying here temporarily.  
   
   Why we ask this question: The goal of the 2020 Census is to count everyone just once and in the right place. We want to ensure that everyone in your home who should be counted is counted—including newborns, roommates, and those who may be staying with you temporarily.
   
   
3. Is this house, apartment, or mobile home (mark ONE box) ... ...Owned by you or someone in this household with a mortgage or loan? Include home equity loans. Is it owned by you or someone in this household free and clear (without a mortgage or loan)? Rented? Occupied without payment of rent?  
   
   Why we ask this question: This helps us produce statistics about homeownership and renting. The rates of homeownership serve as one indicator of the nation’s economy. They also help with administering housing programs, planning, and decision-making.
   
   
4. What is your telephone number? 
   
   Why we ask this question: The Census Bureau asks for your phone number in case there are any questions about your census form. We will only contact you for official census business, if needed.
   
   
5. What is Person 1’s name?  If there is someone living here who pays the rent or owns the residence, start by listing him or her as Person 1. If the owner or the person who pays the rent does not live here, start by listing any adult living there as Person 1. There will be opportunities to list the names of additional members of your household.  
   
   Why we ask this question: The Census Bureau asks a series of questions about each member of your household. This allows us to establish one central figure as a starting point.
   
   
6. What is Person 1’s sex?  Mark ONE box: male or female.
   
   Why we ask this question: This allows us to create statistics about males and females, which can be used in planning and funding government programs. This data can also be used to enforce laws, regulations, and policies against discrimination.
   
   
7. What is Person 1’s age and what is Person 1’s date of birth?  Note Person 1’s age as of April 1, 2020. For babies less than 1 year old, do not write the age in months. Write 0 as the age.  
   
   Why we ask this question: The U.S. Census Bureau creates statistics to better understand the size and characteristics of different age groups. Agencies use this data to plan and fund government programs that support specific age groups, including children and older adults. (Read more about Counting Young Children.)
   
   
8. Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?  NOTE: Please answer both Question 8 about Hispanic origin and Question 9 about race.  For this census, Hispanic origins are not races. Hispanic origin can be viewed as the heritage, nationality, lineage, or country of birth of the person or the person’s parents or ancestors before arriving in the United States. People who identify as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish may be any race.  
   
   Why we ask this question: These responses help create statistics about this ethnic group. This helps federal agencies monitor compliance with anti-discrimination provisions, such as those in the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act.
   
   
9. What is Person 1’s race?  Mark one or more boxes AND print origins: White; Black or African American; American Indian or Alaska Native; Chinese; Filipino; Asian Indian; Vietnamese; Korean; Japanese; other Asian; Native Hawaiian; Samoan; Chamorro; other Pacific Islander; some other race.  
   
   Why we ask this question: This allows us to create statistics about race and to analyze other statistics within racial groups. This data helps federal agencies monitor compliance with anti-discrimination provisions, such as those in the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act.
   
   
10. Print name of Person 2.  Here, you will list the next person in your household.  
    
    Why we ask this question: The 2020 Census asks information about each member of your household. This question identifies the next person to refer to in the ensuing questions. This process repeats for each person in your home.
    
    
11. Does this person usually live or stay somewhere else?  Mark all that apply: no; yes, for college; yes, for a military assignment; yes, for a job or business; yes, in a nursing home; yes, with a parent or other relative; yes, at a seasonal or second residence; yes, in a jail or prison; yes, for another reason.  
    
    Why we ask this question: This question helps ensure that the Census Bureau is counting everyone once, only once, and in the right place. If you have questions about whether or not to include someone, visit Who To Count.
    
    
12. How is this person related to Person 1?  Mark ONE box; opposite-sex husband/wife/spouse; opposite-sex unmarried partner; same-sex husband/wife/spouse; same-sex unmarried partner; biological son or daughter; adopted son or daughter; stepson or stepdaughter; brother or sister; father or mother; grandchild; parent-in-law; son-in-law or daughter-in-law; other relative; roommate or housemate; foster child; other nonrelative.  
    
    Why we ask this question: This allows the Census Bureau to develop data about families, households, and other groups. Relationship data is used in planning and funding government programs that support families, including people raising children alone.

12. What won’t be asked?

The census will never ask for Social Security numbers, bank or credit card numbers, money or donations, or anything related to political parties.

13. What jobs are available with the United States Census Bureau?

The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting for a variety of temporary jobs. To learn more go to www.2020census.gov/en/jobs.html.

14. I'd like to volunteer to help to ensure a complete count for Milton. Who do I contact?

The City of Milton established a Complete Count Committee (CCC), and community members are working together to raise awareness about the 2020 Census.  If you're interested in helping, please contact Administrative Services Director Inga Cushman at City Hall at (608) 868-6900 ext. 5 or by email at icushman@milton-wi.gov.