There’s still time to complete the 2020 Census, but the clock is ticking. The last day to respond is September 30. The US Census Bureau and local census advocates are urging people to make sure they finish the nine-question survey as soon as possible.
Complete the census online by visiting the Census 2020 website, by phone at 1-844-330-2020 or by mail. Postage is prepaid.
If you live in a low-response neighborhood, you may get an in-person visit from a census worker even if you already completed the census. The Census Bureau updates its list of households that have responded every day, but it’s possible that a locally hired census taker will still visit an address as part of the Census Bureau’s quality assurance program.
Census takers will have official identification and will follow public health guidance for maintaining physical distancing and wearing a mask.
Grass-roots Sacramento groups are joining the effort by focusing on reaching out to people who’ve been historically undercounted, including racial and ethnic minorities, non-English speakers, refugees, senior citizens and people with disabilities. For a list of community outreach activities, visit the
NorCal Census website.
With so many community needs it has never been more important to count everyone in your household, such as babies, senior citizens and unrelated family members staying with you. Every person counted brings an estimated $1,000 per person per year in federal funding to community programs like low-income school breakfasts and lunches, preschool education, Meals on Wheels, SNAP-Cal Fresh benefits, housing, schools, shelters, emergency services, health clinics and more.
The Census also determines the number of seats each state receives in Congress as well as the electoral boundaries for city councils, county supervisors, school boards and water districts.