COVID-19 Adjustments

Census Bureau Statement on Coronavirus & the 2020 Census

The U.S. Census Bureau is carefully monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and will follow the guidance of federal, state and local health authorities. We have also established the Census Bureau COVID-19 Internal Task Force to continuously monitor the situation and update our Pandemic Addendum to the Census Bureau Continuity of Operations (COOP) Plan.

Our preparation and contingency planning centers on two key principles: The health and safety of our staff and the public is of the utmost consideration and importance. We must fulfill our constitutional obligation to deliver the 2020 Census counts to the President of the United States on schedule, and we must adhere to our core task of counting everyone once, only once, and in the right place.

The key message right now for anyone with questions about how COVID-19 will affect the 2020 Census: It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone or by mail—all without having to meet a census taker.

2020 Census Operational Adjustments Due to COVID-19

The 2020 Census is underway and more households across America are responding every day. Online, phone and mailed self-responses will continue throughout the data collection process. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau is adjusting 2020 Census operations in order to:

Protect the health and safety of the American public and Census Bureau employees.
Implement guidance from Federal, State, and local authorities regarding COVID-19.
Ensure a complete and accurate count of all communities.

Under the adjusted 2020 Census operational plan, field activities would resume after June 1, 2020, as Area Census Offices begin returning to full staff capacity. In-person activities, including enumeration, office work, and processing activities, will incorporate the most current guidance from authorities to ensure the health and safety of staff and the public.

Status of Operational Adjustments (as of April 13, 2020)

The list below summarizes the adjustments to operations. Should any additional adjustment become necessary, the Census Bureau will promptly publish the change in an updated document.

You can download or print the 2020 Census Operational Adjustments Due to COVID-19 PDF here.

Self-Response Phase (online, phone, mail)

Online, phone and mailed self-responses continue throughout the data collection process.

Planned Schedule: March 12 - July 13
Adjustment: Extended
Revised Schedule: March 12 - October 31

Update Leave

Census takers drop off invitations to respond and paper questionnaires at the front doors of 5 million households stateside while updating the addresses.

Planned Schedule: March 15 - April 17
Adjustment: Delayed
Revised Schedule: June 13 - July 9

Update Enumerate

Census takers interview about 2,000 households in remote parts of northern Maine and southeast Alaska.

Planned Schedule: March 16 - April 30
Adjustment: Suspended and extended
Revised Schedule: June 14 - July 29

Mobile Questionnaire Assistance

Census Bureau staff assists people with responding online at places people gather (events, grocery stores, etc.).

Planned Schedule: March 30 - July 31
Adjustment: Delayed
Revised Schedule: Needs further review and coordination with outside partners and stakeholders.

Nonresponse Followup (NRFU)

Census takers will interview households in person. New dates will cover areas previously scheduled for "Early NRFU."

Planned Schedule: April 9 - July 31
Adjustment: Delayed
Revised Schedule: May 7 - August 14

Nonresponse Followup (NRFU) & NRFU Reinterview

Census takers will interview households in person that have not responded online, by phone, or by mail.

Planned Schedule: May 13 - July 31
Adjustment: Delayed
Revised Schedule: August 11 - October 31

Group Quarters Enumeration

Many group quarters have already begun responding through the 2020 Census e-Response enumeration option.

Planned Schedule: April 2 - June 5
Adjustment: Delayed
Revised Schedule: April 2 - September 3

In-Person Group Quarters Enumeration

Group Quarters that remain as part of the 2020 Census in-person group quarters enumeration efforts will begin in July.

Planned Schedule: April 2 - June 5
Adjustment: Delayed
Revised Schedule: July 1 - September 3

Service Based Enumeration

The 2020 Census is working with service providers at soup kitchens, shelters, and regularly scheduled food vans to count the people they serve.

Planned Schedule: March 30 - April 1
Adjustment: Delayed
Revised Schedule: Needs further review and coordination with outside partners and stakeholders.

Count of People experiencing homelessness outdoors

Census takers count people under bridges, in parks, in all-night businesses, etc.

Planned Schedule: April 1
Adjustment: Delayed
Revised Schedule: Needs further review and coordination with outside partners and stakeholders.

Enumeration of Transitory Locations

Census takers count people staying at campgrounds, RV parks, marinas, and hotels if they do not usually live elsewhere.

Planned Schedule: April 9 - May 4
Adjustment: Delayed
Revised Schedule: Tentatively September 3 – September 28, but may need further review and coordination.

Process Appointment Counts

After collection activities are complete, Census Bureau experts run and review output from programs to unduplicate responses, determine final housing unit status, populate any missing housing unit data on household size and finalize the universe to be included in the apportionment count file.

Planned Schedule: July 31 - December 31
Adjustment: Delayed
Revised Schedule: October 31, 2020 - April 30, 2021

Process Redistricting Data

Census Bureau experts run and review programs to populate any missing demographic data for each household, run differential privacy programs to ensure confidentiality and run tabulation programs for each state delivery.

Planned Schedule: January 1, 2021 - March 30, 2021
Adjustment: Delayed
Revised Schedule: May 1, 2021 - July 31, 2021

Deliver appointment counts to the President

By law, the Census Bureau will deliver each state’s population total, which determines its number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Planned Schedule: By December 31
Adjustment: Delayed
Revised Schedule: By April 30, 2021

President delivers appointment counts to Congress

Planned Schedule: Within 7 days of start of legislative session or, approximately 10-20 days after receipt.
Adjustment: Delayed
Revised Schedule: Within 14 days or receipt.