2020 United States census

Twenty-fourth census of the United States
Twenty-fourth census of the United States
	Seal of the U.S. Census Bureau
General information
Country	United States
Topics	Census topics People and population ; Race and ethnicity ; Families and living arrangements ; Health ; Education ; Business and economy ; Employment ; Housing ; Income and poverty ;
Authority	U.S. Census Bureau
Website	www.census.gov
Results
Total population	331,449,281 ( 7.4%)
Most populous state	California (39,538,223)
Least populous state	Wyoming (576,851)

The 2020 United States census was the 24th decennial United States census. Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2020. Other than a pilot study during the 2000 census,^[1] this was the first U.S. census to offer options to respond online or by phone, in addition to the paper response form used for previous censuses.^[2]

The census was taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected its administration. The census recorded a resident population of 331,449,281 in the 50 states and the national capital of Washington, D.C., reflecting an increase of 7.4 percent, or 22,703,743, over that of 2010.^[3] The growth rate was the second-lowest ever recorded, and the net increase was the sixth-highest in history. This was the first census where the 10 most-populous states each surpassed 10 million residents, and the first census where the 10 most-populous cities each surpassed 1 million residents.

This census's data determined the electoral votes' distribution for the scheduled 2024 United States presidential election. A subsequent review by the bureau found significant undercounts in several minority populations and in several states.

^ Morrison, Sara (March 12, 2020). "The 2020 census is online. Here's how to do it". Vox. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020. While the 2020 census has been billed in some places as the first-ever American census with online submissions, including on the census's own website, this is not quite true. The 2000 census also had an online response option, but it was not publicized. Perhaps as a result, only 63,000 households ended up filling out the 2000 census online. The low response rate was intentional, allowing it to serve as a test run for the 2010 census. Despite the Census Bureau declaring it to be an 'operational success', the 2010 census did not have an online submission option at all. Now, in 2020, the plan is for the majority of responses to come through the online form.
^ "2020 Census Operational Plan v.4.0" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
^ "2020 Census Apportionment Results Delivered to the President" (Press release). United States Census Bureau. April 26, 2021. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.

[1] Morrison, Sara (March 12, 2020). "The 2020 census is online. Here's how to do it". Vox. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020. While the 2020 census has been billed in some places as the first-ever American census with online submissions, including on the census's own website, this is not quite true. The 2000 census also had an online response option, but it was not publicized. Perhaps as a result, only 63,000 households ended up filling out the 2000 census online. The low response rate was intentional, allowing it to serve as a test run for the 2010 census. Despite the Census Bureau declaring it to be an 'operational success', the 2010 census did not have an online submission option at all. Now, in 2020, the plan is for the majority of responses to come through the online form.

[auto-2] "2020 Census Operational Plan v.4.0" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.

[3] "2020 Census Apportionment Results Delivered to the President" (Press release). United States Census Bureau. April 26, 2021. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.

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