Census Research: Home

Why is the census important? 
The results are used to determine how much funding local communities receive for key public services.  State and local officials also use census counts to draw boundaries for congressional, state legislative, and school districts. 

For example, census counts could affect future political representation and funding for Illinois public university like UIS.

Ensure you count.
Every person living in the United States is required by law to respond to the census. 
If you are…

• A UIS student who lives in Residence Life housing on campus. Great news! UIS is counting you, so you don’t have to do anything.
• Parent of a UIS student who lives on campus. You should NOT count your student, since the university is counting them. 
• A UIS student who lives off campus, a faculty or staff member. Please ensure you respond and are counted.

Respond by April 1.  In mid-March, households will begin receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond. You will have three options:

• online
• phone
• mail

Find out more

• Visit the official website for the 2020 census for all the details.
• Have census questions related to UIS? Contact Jill Hawkins.

• April 1, 2020: US CENSUS DAY!

Did you know you can make money while helping to ensure a complete count? The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count. Check out the Census Bureau website for openings.

This guide includes:

• Information about the current decennial census
• Tools for current and historical census research
• Access to census information from Brookens Library

Use this guide to start or supplement your research, or to find out more about the importance of the decennial census!

“This library is a congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents. Public access to the government documents collection is guaranteed by public law. (Title 44 United States Code)”