April 2, 2020
2020 Census Fieldwork Delayed by COVID-19
Introduction
Update Leave
In a March 18, 2020, press release (CB20-RTQ.08), U.S.
Another operation, Update Leave, covers not quite 5% of
Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham announced that
households, located where residents are unlikely to receive
the bureau was suspending all 2020 census field operations
mail at their homes. Examples include across Puerto Rico
until April 1 (but see the more detailed schedule, issued on
and in other areas that have recently experienced natural
March 21, below). This action, a response to the novel
disasters. Enumerators update the addresses of these
coronavirus disease first observed in 2019 (COVID-19) and
households for the bureau’s master address file and drop off
designated a pandemic by the World Health Organization
paper census forms, invitations, and instructions for those
on March 11, 2020, came at a critical time for the census.
who choose to answer the census online, with telephone
Although April 1 is the official Census Day, early data
assistance if requested. Originally scheduled for March 15
collection began in remote Toksook Bay, Alaska, on
to April 17, the operation has been delayed and reset to end
January 21. Other tightly timed field operations were
on May 1.
underway or imminent, including the bureau’s personal
outreach to hard-to-count areas and groups. In-person visits
Update Enumerate
to nonresponding households, originally set for mid-May,
During Update Enumerate, enumerators are to update the
have been delayed by two weeks. Dr. Dillingham stated on
addresses of, and interview in person, about 2,000
March 18 that if “additional adjustments” became
households in remote areas of northern Maine and southeast
necessary, the bureau would communicate them “broadly
Alaska. The operation began on March 16 and was to end
and promptly.” The latest press release on the topic, dated
on April 30. It has been suspended and the end date
March 28 (CB20-RTQ.14), announced an extended
extended until May 14. The bureau, to protect both census
suspension of field operations, until April 15. The release
takers and respondents from COVID-19, has directed that
did not present another revised schedule for the individual
enumerators conduct interviews outside homes, six feet
operations, but noted that the bureau “continues to
away from respondents.
evaluate” them and “will communicate any further updates
as soon as possible.”
Mobile Questionnaire Assistance
The plan for Mobile Questionnaire Assistance is to have
This In Focus notes the various components of the bureau’s
bureau staff help the public answer the census online at
2020 census fieldwork, with their original and, as of March
places frequented by large numbers of people, such as
21, adjusted schedules. Whether the bureau will have to
community centers and grocery stores. The operation was
make further adjustments in the timing of all, or some,
to occur from March 30 to July 31. The start has been
components is uncertain. The In Focus will be updated to
delayed until April 13—a date that now seems in
reflect any new delays or developments.
question—and the end until August 14.
The Original Operational Schedule and
Early Nonresponse Follow-Up
March 21, 2020, Revision
The purpose of this operation is to contact off-campus
households around colleges and universities that have not
The Initial Response Phase
answered the census and reach students there before they
Invitations to answer the census were mailed to about 95%
depart for the summer or graduate. Originally set to begin
of U.S. households from March 12 to March 20, 2020. By
on April 9 and end on July 31, the operation has been
April 1, 36.2% of the households had responded, according
rescheduled to extend from May 7 until August 14.
to a Census Bureau press release issued the same day
(CB20-CN.36). The Census Bureau, before the pandemic,
Nonresponse Follow-Up
had strongly encouraged online responses as the fastest,
The major follow-up effort, in which enumerators across
easiest, most accurate way to complete the census, and
the nation are to visit nonrespondents and collect their
lately is promoting the internet for these advantages, plus
census data in person, is considered essential for achieving
no associated risk of contracting COVID-19. In addition,
a complete, accurate census. The operation was originally
the bureau is accepting completed paper questionnaires by
scheduled for May 13 to July 31. The start has been delayed
mail and responses by telephone. This initial phase of the
to May 28 and the end until August 14.
census, in which households are encouraged to respond
soon after receiving their invitations, was to continue from
Group Quarters: Campus Housing for Students
March 12 to July 31. The adjusted schedule extends the
Students living on campus are to be counted through their
initial phase until August 14.
colleges and universities as part of the bureau’s Group
Quarters enumeration. Alternatively, students can answer
the census online or on paper forms delivered at campus
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2020 Census Fieldwork Delayed by COVID-19
housing and picked up there. Students who have left
Count of Homeless People Outdoors
campus housing, are staying elsewhere because of the
On April 1, enumerators were to count homeless people
COVID-19 situation, and intend to return to school still are
living outdoors in locations where they are known to sleep,
to report this housing as where they live—that is, their
including under bridges and highway overpasses, in parks,
usual residence.
at rest stops, and at businesses that stay open all night. The
operation has been delayed until May 1.
Other Group Quarters: Nursing Homes, Prisons,
and Other Institutional Facilities
The Apportionment Deadline
Census takers, in cooperation with the facilities’
By law (Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 141 (b)), the 2020
administrators, are to enumerate these residents at the
state census counts for apportioning seats in the U.S. House
facilities. The operation was to begin on April 2 and end on
of Representatives must be delivered to the President no
June 5. It has been rescheduled for April 16 to June 19, and
later than December 31, 2020. The fieldwork and myriad
the bureau has asked administrators to choose options for
other operations that support the census, resulting in the
enumeration that will reduce in-person contact.
state counts and corresponding numbers of House seats
allocated to the individual states, are timed to allow for
Service-Based Enumeration
their completion, including final checks, before the legal
In this operation, enumerators are to work with service
deadline. The March 21 revised timeline for fieldwork
providers to count homeless people at soup kitchens,
shows delivery of the apportionment numbers as remaining
shelters, and food vans that make scheduled stops.
on schedule. Whether this schedule, too, may be affected if
Originally set for March 30 to April 1, the operation has
field operations are delayed further is uncertain.
been rescheduled for April 29 to May 1.
Count of People at Transitory Locations
From April 9 to May 4, census takers were to enumerate
people staying at campgrounds, recreational vehicle parks,
hotels, and marinas, if they did not usually live elsewhere.
The operation is now to begin on April 23 and end on May
18.
Jennifer D. Williams, Specialist in American National
Government
IF11486
https://crsreports.congress.gov
2020 Census Fieldwork Delayed by COVID-19
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