Every 10 years, the United States Bureau conducts a population count of the entire country to determine the allocation of seats held by each state in the House of Representatives. The next federal census will begin on April 1, 2020.
In addition to determining federal representation, the census is used to distribute federal funding to state and local governments. In California, more than 70 federal programs that benefit our residents use the Census data and population counts as part of their funding formulas, including the Community Development Block Grant Program, as well as funding for health and human services, public safety, roads, school programs and lunches, and more.
The census data is also used to redraw federal and state legislative district boundaries. For these reasons, a complete and accurate census count is essential to the well-being of our state and all Californians.
Are you curious about how many people in your community are responding to the 2020 Census? View self-response rates.
2020 Census Operational Adjustments Due to COVID-19
2020 Census: What You Need to Know
Hard to Count Index
The California Hard-to-Count Index is based on multiple demographic, housing, and socioeconomic variables correlated with an area being difficult to enumerate. Census tracts with higher indexes are likely to be places that will pose significant challenges to enumerate in 2020.
Launch Interactive Map of HTC Areas