2020 United States census

2020 United States census
Original: United States Bureau of the Census Vector: Mysid · Public domain · source
Name	2020 United States census
Previous census	2010 United States census
Previous year	2010
Next census	2030 United States census
Next year	2030
Country	United States
Date	April 1, 2020
Population	331,449,281
Percent change	7.4%
Region type	most populous state
Region	California
Pop1	39,538,223
Region type2	least populous state
Region2	Wyoming
Pop2	576,851
Website	[https://www.census.gov/2020census 2020census.gov]

2020 United States census was the twenty-fourth decennial enumeration of the population and housing units in the United States. Mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, the count was conducted by the United States Census Bureau with a reference date of April 1, 2020. The results determined the apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and were used for redistricting, as well as the distribution of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding.

Background and purpose

The constitutional mandate for a decennial census originates from the Founding Fathers to ensure fair political representation. The primary legal framework is provided by Title 13 of the United States Code, which governs the operations of the United States Census Bureau. Key purposes include the reapportionment of the House of Representatives among the states and providing essential data for enforcing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The data also guides the allocation of federal funds to states and localities for programs like Medicaid, the National School Lunch Program, and highway planning.

Data collection and methodology

For the first time, the Census Bureau encouraged most households to respond online, though options for response by mail and by phone were also available. The bureau utilized advanced technologies, including geographic information system mapping and administrative records from agencies like the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration, to improve accuracy. The Nonresponse Followup operation involved enumerators visiting non-responding addresses, a process complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. To protect privacy, the bureau implemented a new disclosure avoidance system called Differential privacy.

Population and demographic findings

The total resident population of the United States was counted as 331,449,281, a 7.4% increase from the 2010 Census. The state with the largest population remained California, while Wyoming was the least populous. The fastest-growing state was Utah, and for the first time, the Northeast region saw a population decline. The data revealed increasing racial and ethnic diversity, with the Non-Hispanic White population declining and significant growth among populations identifying as Asian, Hispanic or Latino, and Two or More Races.

Apportionment and redistricting

Based on the census results, the Congress was reapportioned, resulting in changes to the House of Representatives. Texas gained two seats, while Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina, and Oregon each gained one seat. Seven states lost one seat each: California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. These results were delivered to the President and used by state legislatures and redistricting commissions to draw new boundaries for congressional and state legislative districts.

Challenges and controversies

The enumeration faced unprecedented challenges, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted field operations and extended the data collection period. A major legal and political controversy involved the attempted addition of a citizenship question, which was ultimately blocked by the Supreme Court in the case Department of Commerce v. New York. Concerns about gerrymandering and the potential for an undercount of minority groups, particularly in places like Puerto Rico and among Native American populations, were significant.

Response rates and operational details

The national self-response rate was 67.0%, slightly lower than in 2010. The Census Bureau's operations, including the massive Nonresponse Followup effort, were significantly delayed by the pandemic, pushing back key deadlines. The bureau employed roughly 500,000 temporary workers to assist with enumeration. Final data delivery to the states for redistricting was delayed from March 31, 2021, to September 30, 2021, due to these operational hurdles, impacting the timeline for the 2022 election cycle.

Category:2020 United States census Category:2020 in the United States Category:United States censuses