Census 2020 Series Part 3: Only Nine Questions

The 2020 Census is easy! This nine question form will ask about yourself and everyone who is or will be living with you on April 1, 2020.

Here’s a sample questionnaire from the 2020 Census guide that can help you fill out your form:

1. How many people were living or staying this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2020?

This question helps count the entire U.S. population and ensures that people are counted where they live most of the time as of Census Day (April 1, 2020). You’ll count everyone living and sleeping in your home most of the time, including young children, roommates, and friends and family members who are living with you, even temporarily.

2. Were there any additional people staying here on April 1, 2020, that you did not include in Question 1?

Because the Census aims to count everyone, they want to ensure that everyone in your home who should be counted is counted, including newborns, roommates and those who may be staying with you temporarily.

3. Is this house, apartment, or mobile home …

owned by you or someone in this household with a mortgage or loan?
owned by you or someone in the household free and clear (without mortgage or loan)?
rented?
occupied without payment of rent?

This question helps produce statistics about homeownership and renting. The rates of homeownership serve as one indicator of the nation’s economy. They also help with administering housing programs, planning and decision-making.

4. What is your telephone number?

The Census Bureau asks for your phone number in case there are any questions about your census form. You will only be contacted for official census business, if needed.

5. What is Person 1’s name?

There will be a series of questions asked about each member of your household.

6. What is Person 1’s sex?

This question creates statistics about males and females, which can be used in planning and funding government programs.

7. What is Person 1’s age and what is Person 1’s date of birth?

Make sure to input Person 1’s age as of April 1, 2020. For babies less than 1 year old, do not write the age in months. Write 0 as the age. The question helps the Census Bureau create statistics to better understand the size and characteristics of different age groups. Agencies use this data to plan and fund government programs that support specific age groups, including children and older adults.

8. Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin?

Questions about ethnicity help federal agencies monitor compliance with anti-discrimination provisions, such as those in the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. It’s important to note that this question is specifically around ethnicity, and that people who identify as Hispanic, Latino or Spanish may be of any race.

9. What is Person 1’s race?

You can mark one or more boxes and print origins. This helps create statistics about race and to analyze other statistics within racial groups.

10. What is Person 2’s name?

For an accurate count, information about each member of your household must be included. The process repeats for each person in your home.

11. Does this person usually live or stay somewhere else?

Mark all that apply:
- No
- Yes, for college
- Yes, for military assignment
- Yes, for a job or business
- Yes, in a nursing home
- Yes, with a parent or other relative
- Yes, at a seasonal or second residence
- Yes, in a jail or prison
- Yes, for another reason

12. How is this person related to Person 1?

This question allows the Census Bureau to develop data about families, households and other groups. Relationship data is used in planning and funding government programs that support families, including people raising children alone.

Make ONE box:
- Opposite-sex husband/wife/spouse
- Opposite-sex unmarried partner
- Same-sex husband/wife/spouse
- Same-sex unmarried partner
- Biological son or daughter
- Adopted son or daughter
- Stepson or stepdaughter
- Brother or sister
- Father or mother
- Grandchild
- Parent-in-law
- Son-in-law or daughter-in-law
- Other relative
- Roommate or housemate
- Foster child
- Other nonrelative