About the Census

Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau attempts to count every person in the United States. Work is already under way to prepare for the next count, which officially kicks off on April 1, 2020. Unlike past counts, the 2020 Census will be the first to rely heavily on online responses. Every household will have the option of responding online, by mail or by phone.

Each year, the federal government distributes more than $675 billion to states and communities based on Census Bureau data.