It's easy, safe, and confidential!
The U.S. Constitution mandates that a census of the population be conducted once every 10 years. This decennial census has been conducted in the United States every 10 years since 1790. Census data is used to determine how many representatives each state gets in Congress, how many districts each state has, and how much federal funding states and counties receive, on top of other things. Census Day, or the reference day used for the census, will be on April 1, 2020.
In recognition of the impact the 2020 Census will have on Louisville, Mayor Greg Fischer has appointed a municipal Census coordinator and a Municipal Complete Count Committee to work with Louisville community partners to ensure a fair and complete count.
Why the Census Important | What You Need To Know | How You Can Help | Get In Touch
Why It's Important
- The U.S. Constitution mandates that everyone in the country be counted every 10 years. The first census was in 1790. Completing the census is mandatory: it’s a way to participate in our democracy and say “I COUNT!" Learn more.
- The census counts every person living in the United States once, only once, and in the right place.
- Every 10 years, the results of the census are used to reapportion the House of Representatives, determining how many seats each state gets.
- After each decade’s census, state officials redraw the boundaries of the congressional and state legislative districts in their states to account for population shifts.
- The distribution of more than $675 billion in federal funds, grants, and support to states, counties, and communities are based on census data. That money is spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works, and other vital programs.
- Businesses use census data to decide where to build factories, offices, and stores, which create jobs.
- Local governments use the census for public safety and emergency preparedness.
- Real estate developers use the census to build new homes and revitalize old neighborhoods.
- Residents use the census to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life, and consumer advocacy.
What You Need To Know
How will the census be taken?
The 2020 count will be the first one to encourage all U.S. households to respond online. Paper forms will still be available, and residents will also be able to complete their census by phone or in-person.
When is the 2020 Census?
| MARCH 12-20 | Invitations mailed |
| MARCH 16-24 | Reminder letters sent |
| MARCH 26-APRIL 3 | Reminder postcards |
| APRIL 1 | Census Day |
| APRIL 8-16 | Hardcopy Census mailed |
| APRIL 20-27 |
Final postcards mailed |
| MAY 1 |
Non-response follow-ups begin |
What about confidentiality?
Your responses to the 2020 Census are safe, secure, and protected by federal law. Your answers can only be used to produce statistics—they cannot be used against you in any way. By law, all responses to U.S. Census Bureau household and business surveys are kept completely confidential. Learn more.
Census factsheets
US Census Bureau: Census 101 – What You Need to Know
US Census Bureau: Census 101 – Arabic
US Census Bureau: Census 101 – Spanish
US Census Bureau: Census 101 – Vietnamese
US Census Bureau: Census 101 – Chinese
US Census Bureau: Census 101 – Haitian
US Census Bureau: Census 101 - French
US Census Bureau: Census 101 – Tagalog
US Census Bureau: Census 101 – Polish
US Census Bureau: Census 101 – Portuguese
US Census Bureau: Census 101 – Russian
US Census Bureau: Census 101 – Japanese
US Census Bureau: Census 101 – Korean
US Census Bureau: How everyone will be invited to respond to Census
How You Can Help
Census Bureau employment opportunities
The Census Bureau opened an Area Census Office (ACO) in Louisville this month and is currently seeking to fill a variety of temporary office and field positions. Anyone interested in applying can submit their application online at 2020census.gov/jobs.
Additional 2020 Census jobs are available at the U.S. Census Bureau's National Processing Center, located across the river in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Job vacancies at this facility are posted on USAjobs.gov and include clerks, technicians, warehouse positions, office staff and supervisory staff.
Become a Census Champion
Members of the Complete Count Committee and other community partners are serving as Census Champions — trusted messengers who have the tools to educate their communities about the Census and its impact on our city. Census Champions will share information through a grassroots, neighbor-to-neighbor approach, provide trainings and/or computer access, and other supports. See an interactive Census Champion Map listing sites and services offered.
Get In Touch
For more information about local Census efforts, contact Catalina Cordova, (502) 574-5168. Learn more.