Your Census Questions Answered
In mid-March, homes across the country will begin receiving invitations to complete the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail.
FAQ
How does the Census Help Our Communities?
The 2020 Census helps ensure that our community receives its fair share of government funding. Census data directly affect how much money is allocated for infrastructure: such as neighborhood improvements, emergency preparedness and disaster recovery,
public health, education, transportation, senior services and much more.
How do I respond to the Census?
2020 materials will be mailed to your residence beginning in March 2020. You'll have the option of responding online, by phone, or by mail.
What questions are asked on the Census? View a sample printed version of the form.
You will be asked four general questions about the household:
- If the housing unit is owned or rented
- Telephone number
- How many people live in the residence
- If any additional people who lived at the residence on April 1, 2020, were not included
Each household member will be asked:
- Name
- Sex
- Age/date of birth
- Relationship to the person who owns or rents this residence
- Hispanic origin
- Race
- Does this person sometimes live or stay somewhere else
Will the Census be available in various languages?
Yes. You can respond online in English and in 12 additional languages: Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and
Japanese.
The online questionnaire conforms with the latest web accessibility guidelines. There will also be a video in American Sign Language to guide you through responding online.
You can respond by phone in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Tagalog, Polish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese and Japanese.
The paper form can be completed in English or Spanish.
What if I need help or want to fill out the Census online but don’t
have a computer?
Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QAC) with computer stations are available throughout the county. In order to complete the Census online you must have a specific PIN that will be mailed to you. Please make sure you have this PIN before arriving at the QAC.
| Location | QAC Hours |
Blacksburg Library
200 Miller St. | M-Th: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., F & Sa: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.,
Su: 1 -5 p.m. |
Blacksburg Community Center
725 Patrick Henry Dr. | Every day 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.
(Staff Assistance, M-F noon - 4pm.) |
Christiansburg Recreation Center
1600 N. Franklin St. | M & W: 8:30 am - noon, throughout April |
Christiansburg Public Library
125 Sheltman Rd. | M-Th: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., F & Sa: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.,
Su: 1 -5 p.m. |
Meadowbrook Library
267 Alleghany Spring Rd., Shawsville | M-Th: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., F & Sa: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.,
Su: 1 -5 p.m. |
What if I am a Virginia Tech Student?
Visit Virginia Tech's Frequently Asked Questions page at http://vt.edu/census/faqs.html
for specifics regarding on-campus, off-campus, and international students.
For General Questions
Visit the Census page at 2020census.gov, or call 800-923-8282.
For information on services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, call the TTY number at 800-877-8339 to reach the Federal Relay Service.