Counting everyone once, only once, and in the right place.

The momentum is strong as Cuyahoga County prepares residents for the 2020 Decennial Census. Conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, the federal government’s largest sta­tistical agency dedicated to providing current facts and figures about America’s people, places, and economy, census data is the driver that shapes communities nationwide.

Why We Do It

The U.S. Constitution requires that each decade we take a count— or a census—of America’s population. The United States has counted its population every 10 years since 1790. Federal law protects the confidentiality of all individual responses the Census Bureau collects.

The results of the census determine your congressional representation as well as federal funding for states and communities. Every year, more than $675 billion goes toward hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and more.

When You Can Take the 2020 Census

By April 1, 2020, households will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. You’ll then have three ways to respond, by phone, mail, and for the first time ever, you’ll be able to respond to the census online!

Everyone Must Complete the 2020 Census

If you live in the United States, you are required by law to participate in the 2020 count, even if you recently completed another survey from the Census Bureau. A complete and accurate count is critical, as the results of the 2020 Census will affect congressional representation, boundaries for school districts, and funding allocations for programs and services that we all enjoy, from our parks to the history center, libraries, and resources. Census data helps businesses determine if they should stay and grow, relocate here, or leave. An accurate population count impact all of us.

Where Do I Count? Addressing Special Circumstances

For some people, it’s not always clear how they should count themselves or the people in their home. These circumstances can include:

• Group quarters, which are places where groups of people live (such as on-campus student housing, correctional facilities, military bases, health care facilities, and shelters).
• People who live in more than one place.
• People who are moving on Census Day.
• People who are born or die on Census Day.
• People experiencing homelessness.

​Who Counts as Part of Your Residence?

​​If you are filling out the census for your household, you should count anyone who is living there as of April 1, 2020. This includes anyone who is living and sleeping there most of the time.

Citizens of foreign countries who are living in the United States, including members of the diplomatic community, should be counted at the U.S. residence where they live and sleep most of time.

Citizens of foreign countries who are visiting the United States on vacation or a business trip on April 1, 2020, should not be counted.

Students

• Boarding school students below the college level should be counted at their parental residence.
• College students who are living at home should also be counted at their parental residence.
• College students who live away from home should count themselves at the on- or off-campus residence where they live and sleep most of the time, even if they are home or on break on Census Day.
• U.S. college students who are living outside the United States while attending college outside the country are not counted in the census.
• Foreign students living in the country while attending college in the United States should be counted at the on- or off-campus residence where they live and sleep most of the time.

Counting Young Children

It is important to remember to count any children who are living with you. This includes:

• All children who live in your household, including grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and the children of friends.
• Children who split their time between households, if they are living with you on April 1, 2020.
• Newborn babies, even those who are still in the hospital on April 1, 2020.

The Decennial Census is no easy undertaking. That is why is important that each person in Cuyahoga County is counted. Do your part – when you receive your invitation to respond in the mail in the spring, take ten minutes to answer ten questions.

Your participation in the census will help to ensure federal funding flows right back here to Cuyahoga County and stays in our community. Learn more: visit 2020census.gov and follow the US Census Bureau on social media: facebook.com/uscensusbureau or twitter.com/uscensusbureau.