Federal Census
The 2020 Census at a Glance
Download the Info Packet below, or visit Nahant Town Hall or the Nahant Public Library for paper printouts.
Counting everyone once, only once, and in the right place. The U.S. Census Bureau is the federal government’s largest statistical agency. We are dedicated to providing current facts and figures about America’s people, places, and economy. Federal law protects the confidentiality of all individual responses the Census Bureau collects.
The U.S. Constitution requires that each decade we take a count—or a census—of America’s population.
The census provides vital information for you and your community.
- It determines how many representatives each state gets in Congress and is used to redraw district boundaries. Redistricting counts are sent to the states by March 31, 2021.
- Communities rely on census statistics to plan for a variety of resident needs including new roads, schools, and emergency services.
- Businesses use census data to determine where to open places to shop.
Each year, the federal government distributes hundreds of billions of dollars to states and communities based on Census Bureau data.
In 2020, we will implement new technology to make it easier than ever to respond to the census. For the first time, you will be able to respond online, by phone, as well as by mail. We will use data that the public has already provided to reduce followup visits. And, we are building an accurate address list and automating our field operations—all while keeping your information confidential and safe.