Census Timeline

April 1, 2020, is Census Day. While that is still some time away, activities to prepare for the Census 2020 are already beginning, especially geographic updates that lay the foundation for the Census "enumeration" (count). 

The challenge is to conduct a 2020 Census at a lower cost per household (adjusted for inflation) than the 2010 Census by utilizing new technology, while maintaining high-quality results. The U.S. Census Bureau's  2020 Census Operational Plan documents the current design for conducting the 2020 Census

General Timeline for 2020 Census*

  • July 2019 → Communications and advertising campaign begins
  • July-August 2019 → Area Census Offices open in Minnesota 
  • August 2019 → In-field Address Canvassing and Group Quarters operation begins
  • March 2020 → Door-to-door enumeration and Enumeration at Transitory Locations begins
  • March 12-20, 2020 → Invitations sent in mail to respond online to the 2020 Census. (Some households will also receive paper questionnaires.)
  • March 16-24, 2020 → A reminder letter is mailed.
  • March 26-April 3, 2020 → A reminder postcard is mailed to those who haven't responded yet.
  • April 1, 2020 → 2020 Census Day
  • April 2020 → Non-response Follow-up begins for households that did not submit a Census form.
  • April 8-16 → A reminder letter and paper questionnaire is mailed to non-respondents.
  • April 20-27 → A final reminder postcard is mailed before follow up in person.
  • May 2020 → The Census Bureau begins following up with households that have not responded.
  • December 2020 → The Census Bureau delivers apportionment counts to the president. 
 
*We will update these dates as we receive more detailed information.