Paper Census questions coming to Contra Costa residents

About 64 million households across the nation will receive a paper questionnaire in the coming days as the U.S. Census Bureau continues to ensure responding to the census is easier than ever.

More than 53 percent of households in Contra Costa County have already responded to the 2020 Census, compared to 46.2 percent that have responded nationwide. The remaining households started receiving a paper questionnaire on April 8.

“If you’re among the nearly half of all the nation’s households that have responded already, thank you,” said Census Bureau director Steven Dillingham. “It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online at 2020census.gov, over the phone or by mail – all without having to meet a census taker.”

Some prefer paper forms

While nearly half of all households have responded online to the 2020 Census, some may prefer to receive a paper questionnaire. About 22 percent of the country received a paper form at the beginning of the census.

Even if households don’t receive a letter in the mail, the Census Bureau will drop off a census invitation and paper form as soon as it is safe to do so. Census takers will also follow up with all households that do not respond.

Households receiving the paper questionnaire can still respond online or by phone, or they can return it by mail in the enclosed envelope. They can choose to respond online at 2020census.gov in English or 12 other languages, or receive assistance through language guides and videos available in 59 languages. When responding online, use the Census ID from the letter or provide your address.

The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every 10 years. Responding to the 2020 Census is easy, safe and important, and it’s key to shaping the future of communities. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and informs how hundreds of billions of dollars in public funds are allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers for public services and infrastructure like hospitals, emergency response, schools and bridges over the next 10 years.

For more information, visit 2020census.gov.