The 2020 Census counts every person living in the United States and five U.S. territories—once, only once, and in the right place. This census is conducted every 10 years by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency.

Hospitals. Fire departments. Schools. Even roads and highways. The census can shape many different aspects of your community. Each year, the results help determine how more than $675 billion in federal funding is distributed to states and communities. It’s also mandated by the Constitution: The U.S. has counted its population every 10 years since 1790.

By April 2020, households will receive an invitation to participate in the census. You’ll then have three options to respond: online, by phone, or by mail. We’ll mark Census Day on April 1, 2020, with events across the country. This is a key date for the 2020 count: When completing the census, you’ll note where you are living on April 1.