2020 Census

ABNY and the Census
Along with partners throughout the City and State, ABNY is working to ensure that every New Yorker is counted.

About the Census 
Every ten years, the U.S. Constitution mandates a count of every person in the United States. This count is called the Decennial Census, is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, and the next one will happen in 2020. The data collected by the census determine the number of seats each State has in the U.S. House of Representatives and are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts. The decennial census is also used to distribute almost $900 billion dollars for critical federal programs nationwide, over $74 billion to New York State.

The decennial census is the largest mobilization and operation conducted in the United States and requires years of research, planning, and development of methods and infrastructure to ensure an accurate and complete count. 

Changes in 2020

Paper Based to Online Based
In 2020, for the first time, the Census Bureau will be encouraging US residents to complete the census questionnaire online. This provides opportunities to utilize cost-effective, internet-based tactics to encourage early participation. People will be able to fill out the form anywhere and real-time reporting on how well people are responding. The challenges to this online method include providing support to New York’s significant digital divide. Many New Yorker’s either do not have computers at home or don’t have access to reliable broadband. Paper and phone options will still be available.

 Reduction in Census Bureau Offices and Staffing
In anticipation of the efficiencies in the use of technology, the US Census Bureau has reduced staffing resources significantly. Regional census centers and area census offices have been cut in half and there are almost 1,000 less census field staff nationwide.

Possible Addition of the Citizenship Question
The US Department of Commerce has proposed adding a question about citizenship on the 2020 decennial census. The citizenship question was last asked of everyone on decennial census in 1950. Inclusion of the citizenship question is expected, in the current political climate, to reduce response rates to the census.