Timeline - 2020 Census
Updated timeline of operations due to COVID-19
The decennial U.S. Census has been characterized as the largest peacetime mobilization. It's a complex exercise that involves 35 separate operations, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Just as the data collection effort began, the nation shut down due to COVID-19.
|
Activity/operation |
Original schedule |
New schedule |
|---|---|---|
|
Self-response phase - online, phone, and mailed self-responses continue throughout the data collection process. |
March 12-July 31 |
March 12-September 30 |
|
Group quarters (e-response and paper enumeration) |
April 2–June 5 |
April 2-September 3 |
|
In-person group quarters enumeration |
April 2–June 5 |
July 1-September 3 |
|
Update leave - census takers drop off invitations to respond and paper questionnaires at the front doors of 5 million households stateside while updating the addresses. |
March 15–April 17 |
Resumed May 11 |
|
Non-response follow-up (NRFU) - census takers will conduct in-person interviews of households that have not self-responded. |
May 13–July 31 |
July 23-September 30 |
|
Mobile questionnaire assistance - Census Bureau staff assists people with responding online at places people gather (grocery stores, etc.). |
March 30-July 31 |
July 13-September 30 |
|
Service-based enumeration - working with service providers at soup kitchens, shelters, and regularly scheduled food vans to count the people they serve. |
March 30-April 1 |
September 22-24 |
|
Count of people experiencing homelessness outdoors |
April 1 |
September 23-24 |
|
Enumeration at transitory locations - census takers count people staying at campgrounds, RV parks, marinas, and hotels if they do not usually live elsewhere. |
April 9-May 4 |
September 3-28 |
|
Deliver apportionment counts to the president |
By December 31, 2020 |
April 26, 2021 |
|
Deliver redistricting counts to the states |
By April 1, 2021 |
Late August 2021 |
