2020 U.S. Census

The United States holds a census every 10 years per mandate of Article 1, Section 2 of the United States Constitution. The goal of the census is to count every person living in the United States once, only once, and in the right place.

Residents are required by law to respond to the 2020 Census (Title 13, U.S. Code, Sections 11 and 193). It’s your civic duty, and it’s a way to participate in our democracy.

The Census Benefits the City of River Falls

The distribution of more than $675 billion in federal funds, grants, and support to states, counties, and communities are based on census data.  Your community benefits the most when the census counts everyone. When you respond to the census, you help your community gets its fair share of the federal funds spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works, and other vital programs.

Census logo new

It’s About Fair Representation

Every ten years, the results of the census are used to reapportion the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 states. The apportionment results will be the first data published from the 2020 Census, and those results will determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives for the next 10 years.

Timeline

March 12-August 14The public  is strongly encouraged to respond online.
March 29-May  1Census takers will drop off invitations at the front doors of 5 million households.

If you haven’t responded yet:
May 7-August 14Census takers will follow up with households that haven’t responded.
May  28-August 14Census takers will interview households in person that have not responded online, by phone, or by mail.

Three ways to answer

When it’s time to respond, most households will receive an invitation in the mail. You can respond in three ways:

  • Online - go to my2020census.gov and start the questionnaire
  • By phone - call 1-844-330-2020
  • By mail - complete the form that is mailed to you

What are you waiting for? Take the census online now!

Helpful Links