Skip to Main Content

Census 2020

Census Fact Check

Do I have to use or have a SSN? 

No. The Census will never ask for your SSN, bank account information or political affiliation.  

 

Is there a citizenship question? 

No. The Supreme Court upheld a lower federal court ruling that bars the citizenship question from being on the 2020 Census. You will not be asked about your citizenship status.  

 

Do I have to answer every question? 

Technically, no. When answering online, you will be required to answer every field to submit the form. If you do leave a field blank on a paper form, however, a Census employee will likely visit your household to confirm the responses are correct and complete. 

  • The sex question has only ‘male’ or ‘female’ options, which refers to the gender you were assigned at birth. Many organizations have pushed for more diverse response fields to count members of the non-binary and transgender communities.  

 

Is my information safe? 

Yes. Under Title XIII, the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information to anyone or use your responses against you. Your information will never be touched or seen by anyone but the Census Bureau. Yes, even the President is not granted access your information.