Minnesota State University, Mankato: 2020 Census

In general, students in colleges and universities temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 virus will still be counted as part of this process.  Even if they are home on census day, April 1, they should be counted according to the residence criteria which states they should be counted where they live and sleep most of the time.

Per the Census Bureau’s residence criteria, students living away from home at school should be counted at school, even if they are temporarily elsewhere due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information visit: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020/modifying-2020-operations-for-counting-college-students.html

2020Census.gov

• Census Bureau's home page for the upcoming census.

Your Guide to the 2020 Census

• Instructions on filling out the survey form.

Video Guide to the 2020 Census

• Video instructions on filling out the survey form.

Invitation to Participate

• Invitation from the Census Bureau to participate in the 2020 Census.

Sample Census Survey

• Sample of the 2020 Census Survey.

College Towns

• Learn more about how college towns depend on an accurate count of those living in the area.

Community Impact

• Learn about how the results of the Census impact your community.

If you live off campus and away from your family:

• You will receive and fill out your own census form.
• If you live with roommates, identify one person to be "Person 1" and fill out the form. Make sure all information provided about you (as "Person 2" or subsequent person) is correct.
• If you have a separate permanent address (e.g. parents' house), make sure people at that address understand they should NOT include you on their form.

If you live in campus/university housing:

• You will not fill out a census form.
• The Census Bureau classifies college dorms as "group quarters" and works directly with the university to get relevant information for students living on campus.
• All you need to do is make sure those at your permanent address (like your parents) understand they should NOT include you on their form.

If you live with your family:

• Someone at your address will need to fill out a census form, including information about you.

To get help filling out the census visit https://libguides.mnsu.edu/ask or contact: 

Evan Rusch:  507-389-2460; evan.rusch@mnsu.edu

Monika Antonelli:  507-389-2507;  monika.antonelli@mnsu.edu

Between March 12-March 20, most households will receive in the mail an invitation to participate along with information on how to respond online or by phone. Households in areas less likely to respond online may also receive paper questionnaires at this time, along with an invitation to respond online or by phone.

If you have not responded, periodic reminders will be mailed until April 3.

If you have still not responded, a reminder and paper questionnaire will be delivered by mail between April 8-April 16.

Final reminders will be mailed between April 20-April 27. After that, the Census Bureau will follow up in person.

Note that there is NOT a question about citizenship.

The individual filling out the form ("Person 1") will be asked:

• “How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2020?”
• “Were there any additional people staying here on April 1, 2020 that you did not include in Question 1?”
• “Is this house, apartment, or mobile home owned by you or someone in the home / rented / occupied without payment of rent?"
• Telephone number
• Name
• Sex
• Age & Date of birth
• Hispanic origin
• Race

Questions about additional people in the household are:

• Name
• Does this person usually live or stay somewhere else
• Relationship to Person 1
• Sex
• Age & Date of birth
• Hispanic origin
• Race