Census 2020

March 25, 2020 UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Census will be conducted over the phone and online. There will not be door-to-door census takers. Residents should be receiving two notices in the mail with a code to use online or over the phone. The City of Los Altos wants to remind you that your information is private and cannot be used against you by the force of law.

The City of Los Altos encourages all Los Altos residents to participate in the United States 2020 Census. Together with the County of Santa Clara, the City is committed to a full count in the 2020 Census.

About Census 2020

Every 10 years, the U.S. Constitution requires a count of the nation’s population to determine the number of congressional representatives for each state. The government also uses census data to distribute an estimated $600 billion dollars in federal funding annually.

The City is committed to ensuring a full count of all Los Altans. The County has dedicated resources and expertise to develop a comprehensive, collaborative and ongoing effort to identify hard-to-count populations and identify the most effective ways to encourage participation in the census. We will continue to work together — local government, community agencies, and our residents — to make sure everyone is counted in 2020.

Get Involved

Help make Census 2020 successful! Santa Clara County is hiring people to help with the Census. Starting at $30 an hour, these jobs have great pay, flexible hours, and paid training. There are a variety of jobs available, so don't hesitate to look. Apply online at 2020census.gov/jobs. Santa Clara County is also looking for numerous volunteers. If you are interested, visit the County of Santa Clara website and sign up! 

When is Census 2020?

The official Census Day is April 1, 2020. In March 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau will begin to mail letters to every household with information on how to complete the census. In May 2020, U.S. Census field staff (called enumerators) will visit households who have not yet completed the census.

Census 2020 – What to Expect

When it’s time to respond, most households will receive an invitation in the mail. Depending on how likely your area is to respond online, you’ll receive either an invitation encouraging you to respond online or an invitation along with a paper questionnaire. Every household will have the option of responding online, by mail, or by phone.

Additional Resources

2020 Census at a Glance

Census 101: What You Need to Know