The 2020 Census must consider the unique challenges of the era and at the same time new opportunities with respect to information and technology. There were unprecedented challenges facing the U.S. Census Bureau as it planned for the 2020 Census.
Planning activities supported a new census design that fundamentally changed the way in which censuses are taken in the United States. We worked toward a design that made it easier than ever before to respond to the census - either online, by phone, by mail or in person.
Learn more about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the timeline for 2020 Census operations as well as operational changes made in response to the pandemic.
The Census Bureau's archives contain documentation on 2020 Census planning efforts including information on budgeting, establishing where to count, communication campaign research and planning efforts.
The archives include:
The 2020 Census was a massive undertaking. It required counting a diverse and growing population in the United States. To do this, the U.S. Census Bureau:
Materials related to motivating people to respond to the 2020 Census are available on the Census Bureau's archives. Examples of files available include:
Post-collection processing materials related to the 2020 Census are available on the Census Bureau's archives, including:
Release schedules, data product guides, and other materials related to the release phase of the 2020 Census.
Materials related to the review phase of 2020 Census are available for 2020 Census Evaluations & Experiments (EAE) operation, and coverage measurement. Study plans and reports for the 2020 EAE will be released in 2022 and 2023, and the 2010 reports are available for download.