2020 Census Timeline & Milestones

2018

  • Tribal leader, governor, or highest elected local official or community leader determines Complete Count Committees (CCCs) structure
  • CCCs receive 2020 Census training

2019

  • Continue establishing CCCs
  • Open Area Census Offices
  • CCCs develop strategy and work plan

2020

  • January 21: The Census Bureau started counting the population in remote Alaska. The count officially began in the rural Alaskan village of Toksook Bay.
  • March 12 – March 20: Households received official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail.
  • April 1: This is Census Day, a key reference date for the 2020 Census—not a deadline. We use this day to determine who is counted and where in the 2020 Census. When you respond, you’ll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020, and include everyone who usually lives and sleeps in your home. You can respond before or after that date. We encourage you to respond as soon as you can.
  • Starting mid-April: The Census Bureau mailed paper questionnaires to homes that had not yet responded online or by phone.
  • July 1 – September 3: Census takers will work with administrators at colleges, senior centers, prisons, and other facilities that house large groups of people to make sure everyone is counted.
  • December: The Census Bureau will deliver apportionment counts to the President and Congress as required by law

2021

  • March 31: By this date, the Census Bureau will send redistricting counts to the states. This information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes.