Census 2020

Everyone Counts logo

2020 Census Begins in March

Health clinics. Fire departments. Schools. Hospitals. Even roads and highways. The U.S. Census can shape many different aspects of our community including during natural disasters.

  • Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year.
  • Knowing who lives where is key to recovery during disasters.
  • The results determine how many seats in Congress each state gets.
  • It's mandated by the U.S. Constitution (the U.S. has counted its population every 10 years since 1790).

Help the City of Winchester, VA count in the 2020 Census!

Census Process

By April 1, 2020, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. EVERYONE MUST BE COUNTED. Please respond as soon as you receive the invitation. If you do not respond, the U.S. Census Bureau will follow up in person to collect your responses. YOU ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO RESPOND.

Timeline

  • March 2020—The public can begin responding to the 2020 Census online at 2020census.gov. Replying by mail or phone will also be an option.
  • April 2020—Every 10 years, we observe Census Day on April 1.
  • June 2020 through July 2020—Census takers go door to door to count people who have, not responded to the 2020 Census. Census takers are Census Bureau employees and will provide proof that they are official government personnel.
  • December 31, 2020—By this date, as required by law, the Census Bureau reports to the President of the United States the population count and the apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to each state.
  • 2021—Initial 2020 Census data are made available to the public on census.gov.

Questions NEVER Asked

During the 2020 Census, the Bureau will never ask you for:

  • Your social security number
  • Money or donations
  • Anything on behalf of a political party
  • Your bank or credit card account numbers

If someone is claiming to be from the Census Bureau contacts you and asks you for one of the above things, it's a scam, and you should not cooperate. For more information, visit Avoiding Fraud and Scams.

Participation in Other Census Surveys

The Census Bureau will continue to conduct other surveys, like the American Community Survey, during 2020 (NOTE: The City of Winchester will also conduct a Citizen Survey during 2020.) If you are contacted about another survey, it is very important to participate. But you will still be required to respond to the 2020 Census even if you participate in another survey.

Your Privacy Matters

When you respond to the census, your answers are kept anonymous. They are used only to produce statistics.

Did You Know?

The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. The law ensures that your private information is never published and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency, court or law enforcement agency. That's protected under Title 13 of the U.S. Code.

Learn more about how your privacy is protected

Census Jobs

The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting to fill hundreds of thousands of positions across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count. 

Job Fair

The VA Employment Commission will host a job fair for 2020 Census Interviewer positions on Monday, January 24 from 9 am-1 pm at 419 N. Cameron St. (2nd floor). NOTE: There are requirements to complete prior to the event. Visit www.vawc.virginia.gov and search for job #1781271.

Temporary Jobs

Census takers, recruiting assistants, office staff, and supervisory staff. Click here to review job details.

Application button

Frequently Asked Questions button for Census jobs