In light of COVID-19, the U.S. Census Bureau has postponed or extended many of its operations.
(As of August 6, 2020) You can still complete the Census online, over the phone, or by mail. To complete your 2020 Census online, visit www.2020census.gov. If you have any questions about the Census, suspect a scam, or would like to complete your questionnaire over the phone, please call 844-330-2020 for assistance in English. For foreign-language phone assistance, please visit this page for the appropriate phone number.
Here are some important dates reflecting the U.S. Census Bureau's operational changes:
- The Trump administration has proposed two new changes to the Census, which would have a negative impact on the count. On July 21, 2020, President Trump released a memorandum that ordered the Census Bureau to remove undocumented persons from each state's Census count for deciding
legislative districts and electoral votes, once the count is complete. On August 3, the administration also announced that the Census deadline, originally scheduled for October 31st, would be moved earlier a full month to September 30th. Both changes would create an undercount that would affect public services and vital programs for the next ten years. The New Jersey Census Coalition has released two letters - one stating that all persons should be included in Census apportionment and redistricting counts, regardless of immigration status, and one calling for the Census count to continue until October 31st as previously planned. - New Jersey Area Census Offices Have Reopened: Area offices are open and field operations have resumed throughout the state. Partnership specialists are available to work with community partners. Operations have resumed in accordance with federal, state and local health and safety guidelines.
- September 22-24: Homeless enumeration takes place. Read more about this process here.
Census takers, known as "enumerators," are out knocking on doors right now, but people are still encouraged to self-respond online or over the phone as soon as possible. Responding yourself can avoid a visit from a Census in-person enumerator. The reference day of the Census (April 1, 2020) has not changed.
More information on the Census Bureau’s current operational plan in light of COVID-19 can be found here.
Census Resources for New Jersey
Click to download the full toolkit (last updated 02/12/2020)
Annotated Powerpoint Presentation
Contains Frequently Asked Questions and Q&A for Stakeholders Supporting the 2020 Census
Contains the ACNJ One Page Fact Sheet, ACNJ Young Child Fact Sheet, Household Living Scenarios, Census 2020 Palm Card, 2020 Census and Confidentiality fact sheet and Count Me! Census Stickers
Contains Monthly Ambassador Activities, Sample Text/Email Messages, Census Bureau and Complete Count Committee Contacts, Census Kiosk Guide and We Count! Picture Book
Census Ambassador Commitment Cards and Training Evaluation
Feel free to download, print and share the materials within the toolkit
U.S. Census Bureau: 2020 Census at a Glance
U.S. Census Bureau: 2020 Census Timeline
U.S. Census Bureau: Milestones and Timeline
Census Counts national webpage
ACNJ state maps and district maps of hard to count areas
State Complete Count Commission
New Jersey Complete Count Commission Report to the Governor and the Legislature - June 2019
2020 Census Mailings - A timeline of what mailers will go out when, and what they look like
Respond to the 2020 Census - A fact sheet detailing what to expect and how to respond
Response Rate Map - A live view showing how people are responding to the 2020 Census
Guide: How To Host A Census Kiosk
Census NJ 2020 Presentation (updated 02/13/2020)
The Census 2020 is Coming: What You Need to Know (English) (Spanish)
Count All Kids - Factsheet detailing why it's important to count children 0-5 years old (English) (Spanish)
Household Living Scenarios: Who Counts Where? - Factsheet illustrating how individuals should be counted on the 2020 Census questionnaires (English) (Spanish)
Census 2020 Palm Card - A checklist of what you need in order to answer your Census questionnaires (English) (Spanish)
Census Bureau Community Outreach kit
NALEO Census explainers for individuals (English) (Spanish)
Listing of local complete count committees
Census guide to establishing local complete count committees
Response Rate Map - A live view showing how people are responding to the 2020 Census
These charts analyze the characteristics of children ages 0-9 of various racial and ethnic groups in New Jersey, breaking down 2010 Census data and revealing why it is so important that we get the 2020 Census counts right.
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The Census is Here: What You Need to Know

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