2020 Census Information

About the 2020 Census

As mandated by the U.S. Constitution, America counts its population each decade. The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. It is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution. The data collected determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is also used to distribute federal funds to local communities.

The 2020 Census will be conducted primarily online and library staff will be on the front lines to assist!

Assisting people with their Census forms is just one way libraries can contribute to this important effort. Accurate Census data is a key component to fair representation and funding and is vital to all types of library users, including students, researchers, businesses and community organizations.

According to ALA, 99% of Hard-to-Count (HTC) census tracts are within five miles of a public library!

Use the resources in this guide to find out more about 2020 Census activities and what you can do to promote a successful effort in your community. Get started with the Libraries' Guide to the 2020 Census from ALA.

FAQs 

How can I invite the Census Bureau to give a presentation at my library?

Contact Kimberly Burgess, Partnership Specialist, (775) 901-9563 for assistance in locating a partnership specialist in your area.

How can my library get 2020 Census promotional materials?

Contact Kimberly Burgess, Partnership Specialist, (775) 901-9563. Downloadable materials are also available.

Are respondents required by law to complete their Census form? What if they want to skip a question?

Title 13 of the U.S. Code states that respondents may be fined if they do not complete their Census form. Submitting an incomplete form will increase the likelihood that an enumerator will need to follow-up with a respondent in person.

Who should I contact if my staff or community members have questions about completing the form?

A Census Questionnaire Assistance hotline will be toll-free and open from mid-January to early September 2020.

For more FAQs, see:  Libraries' Guide to the 2020 Census, p. 11-12.

Census Data and Resources

Census QuickFacts - A quick way to find census data for states, counties, and towns

American FactFinder - Gateway to detailed census data

Census 2020 Hard to Count Map - Locate areas in your community that are hard to count.

Census Engagement Navigator - Learn about areas that had high or low return rates in the 2010 Census, and the current demographic makeup of these neighborhoods.

2020 Census In Field Address Canvassing (IFAC) Viewer - Locate housing units that will be contacted during address canvassing, taking place from August to October 2019.

Resources for Promoting 2020 Census

The Citizenship Question and the 2020 Census - an overview of this issue from the ALA Intellectual Freedom Blog

2020 Census Resources and Legislation - an overview of state efforts to encourage participation in 2020 Census from the National Conference on State Legislatures

2020 Census - advocacy and other resources from the American Library Association

Tools & Resources: Best Practices for Getting out the Count - a collection of web sites suggesting methods for promoting Census turnout, from staff at Oregon's Population Research Center.

Municipal Action Guide - Preparing for the 2020 Census - from the National League of Cities

Census 2020 in Rural America - fact sheet from the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality

The Vulnerable, Vital 2020 Census - collection of research and articles from the Urban Institute

Census study on Barriers, and Attitudes, Motivators Toward Participating in the Upcoming 2020 Census - from Census Bureau

Ways that libraries can support Census activities in their communities

• Participate in Complete Count Committees - work with local community groups to help plan outreach activities. To locate your local committee, talk to your city or county planner or other administrative staff. Need help talking to local leaders? ALA has developed some talking points for you!
• Promote opportunities for local residents to apply for census jobs. See tip sheet from ALA for more advice about promoting census jobs.
• Host community meetings and outreach activities in your library's meeting room
• Provide your staff with training to help them understand what to expect and prepare for questions about the census
• Review the Census Bureau's Community Outreach Toolkit for other ideas!
• Encourage your library board/trustees to become a Library Census Champion. Champions will receive free information, resources, and actions to take to ensure a fair and accurate census. Watch this webinar for more information.

Not sure who to contact in your community? Reach out to a Nevada Census Partnership Specialist or locate local Complete Count Committee contacts in your area.

Hard to Count Areas in Nevada

The Census Bureau identifies areas that are hard to count based on response rates from the 2010 Census. Below are links to maps for Nevada counties that have hard to count areas. The maps show specific census tracts and nearby libraries.

During 2013-17, 17.0% of Nevada's households had either no home internet subscription or dial up-only, according to the latest American Community Survey estimates. 8.1% of the state's households had a cellular data plan only (which may be costly to use for non-essential services).

In 2020 for the first time, the Census Bureau will be urging most households to submit their census responses online. See this FAQ about technology issues & different ways to participate in the 2020 Census.

Census supporters can use the HTC map to identify areas where households may have difficulty filling out the 2020 census questionnaire online. Click here  to display the internet access slider. In tracts where a large share of households have no internet subscription, public libraries and others may be able to provide online access for households with no internet access.

However, all households receiving census materials in the mail or dropped off at their door have the option of submitting responses by phone or using a paper questionnaire. In areas with poor internet access, census supporters can emphasize the availability of these other two response methods.

The maps also provide basic demographic information for each hard to count census tract. To view, click on the tract in the map and then select the Tract option on the Left menu. Maps are from the Census 2020 Hard to Count Map project developed by the CUNY Mapping Service at the City University of New York's Graduate Center.

Promotional Materials

#CountOnLibraries Campaign - Image 1/ Image 2/ Image 3

2020 Census at a Glance (flyer)

Census 101: What You Need to Know (flyer/image)

Additional images for signage

• Its about fair representation
• Taking part is your civic duty
• You can help
• Its about redistricting
• Everyone counts
• Your data is confidential

How You Will Be Contacted to Participate in Census (flyer) (Spanish version)

2020 Census and Confidentiality (flyer) (Spanish version)

Why We Ask (flyer)

Promotional Materials for Specific Groups

Census 2020 web site in Spanish

Counting for Dollars 2020: The Role of the Decennial Census in the Geographic Distribution of Federal Funds - Nevada (flyer)

Social Media Content- suggested posts with images

Census Counts 2020 - Links to a variety of organizations promoting census participation

Libraries and the 2020 Census - Talking points from ALA

Census and Sensibility: Preparing your Library for the 2020 Census - toolkit from the California Library Association. Note that some information in this toolkit does not apply to Nevada. For example, Nevada has no current funding for Census Action Kiosks.

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