Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and 

American Community Survey

Issued March 2017

Revised

Federal Legislative and Program Uses
The original version of the appendix has been revised.
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey iii

Contents

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Protecting the Information Collected by These Subjects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Operational Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and the American Community Survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Age. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Gender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Race/Ethnicity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Relationship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Tenure (Owner/Renter). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Subjects Planned for the American Community Survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Acreage and Agricultural Sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Ancestry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Commuting (Journey to Work). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Computer and Internet Use. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Disability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Fertility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Grandparent Caregivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Health Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Home Heating Fuel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Home Value and Rent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Industry, Occupation, and Class of Worker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Labor Force Status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Language Spoken at Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Marital Status and Marital History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Migration (Previous Residence)/Residence 1 Year Ago. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Place of Birth, Citizenship, and Year of Entry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Plumbing Facilities, Kitchen Facilities, and Telephone Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

School Enrollment, Educational Attainment, and Undergraduate Field of Degree. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Selected Monthly Owner Costs (Cost of Utilities, Condominium and Mobile Home Fees, Taxes,

Insurance, and Mortgages). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Units in Structure, Rooms, and Bedrooms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Vehicles Available. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Veteran Status, Period of Service, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Service-Connected Disability Rating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Work Status Last Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Year Built and Year Moved In. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Appendix: Year Current Subjects Planned First Asked in Decennial Census Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 1

Introduction

BACKGROUND

Since 1790, a national census of the U.S. population 

has been conducted every 10 years, as required by the 

U.S. Constitution. Additional information beyond the 

population count has been collected with each census 

in response to the challenges facing the nation and a 

national desire to understand ourselves.

In the 20th century, most addresses received a “short” 

form, while a portion of addresses received a more 

detailed “long” form. The Census 2000 short form was 

designed to collect basic demographic and housing 

information (i.e., age, race, gender, relationship, and 

tenure) to be used for apportionment and redistricting. 

The long form sent to approximately 1 in 6 households 

collected social, housing, and economic information 

(i.e., citizenship, educational attainment, disability 

status, employment status, income, and housing costs) 

that was used to plan and determine funding for a wide 

array of federal, state, local, and tribal programs. 

Since 2005, in order to provide communities, 

businesses, and the public with the detailed longform information more frequently, these data have 

been collected monthly (and released annually) 

through the American Community Survey (ACS).1

This innovation enabled the 2010 Census to be a 

“short-form-only” census. Decoupling the collection 

of short- and long-form data allowed the U.S. Census 

Bureau to focus decennial census efforts on the 

constitutional requirements to produce a count of 

the resident population, while employing technology 

in both collections to improve efficiencies, improve 

accuracy, and reduce costs. The result has been the 

dissemination of more current and detailed information 

than has ever been available.

The 2020 Decennial Census Program, comprised of 

the 2020 Census and the ACS, will provide an official 

count through a “short-form-only” census, as well as 

a portrait of communities counted across the nation 

through data collected by the ACS. This program is the 

only data-gathering effort that collects information from 

enough people to produce comparable data for every 

geographic area recognized by the Census Bureau. 

1 The ACS also collects short-form data on its questionnaire. However, ACS asks for basic demographic and housing information from 

a sample of households, while the decennial census asks for basic 

demographic and housing information from all households.

SUBMISSION OF SUBJECTS PLANNED 

FOR THE 2020 DECENNIAL CENSUS 

PROGRAM

Section 141(f) of the Census Act requires that 

the subjects to be included in the next census be 

submitted to Congress no later than 3 years before the 

census date. The contents of this handbook describe 

the subjects that will be asked on the 2020 Census and 

the ACS.

The Census Act also requires that the questions to 

be included in the next census be submitted to 

Congress no later than 2 years before the census date. 

A document that meets that requirement for the 2020 

Census and the ACS will be submitted to Congress by 

March 31, 2018.

ABOUT THE SUBJECTS PLANNED 

FOR THE 2020 DECENNIAL CENSUS 

PROGRAM

Throughout each decade, regular content reviews are 

conducted to ensure that the information collected 

through the decennial census program is required by 

federal programs. Beginning after the 1990 Census, 

the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in 

conjunction with the Census Bureau, asked federal 

agencies to provide information describing their data 

needs. This information, updated each decade by 

subsequent changes to federal legislative requirements, 

is used to evaluate content considered for the decennial 

census program.

To prepare for the 2020 Census, OMB and the Census 

Bureau embarked on a comprehensive review including 

chartering the Interagency Council on Statistical Policy 

(ICSP) Subcommittee on the ACS and conducting the 

2014 ACS Content Review. This effort was designed 

to examine and confirm the value of each question 

on the ACS, and to confirm and update the statutory 

and regulatory authority for the questions with federal 

agencies. In 2016, the Census Bureau asked federal 

agencies to provide any updates to this documentation.

The resulting information about federal uses is 

presented throughout the descriptions of the subjects 

on the following pages. These descriptions are designed 

to give the reader a clear understanding of 1) the 

relationship between questions asked of respondents 

and the summarized data that are released in published 

tables, 2) how federal agencies use the resulting data, 

and 3) the benefits of the data at the community level.
2 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Protecting the Information Collected by These Subjects

The Census Bureau has an obligation to produce 

accurate, relevant statistics about the nation’s economy 

and people, but we recognize that the information 

collected in these subjects is often private. We depend 

on cooperation and trust, and promise to protect the 

confidentiality of this information. 

Federal law protects this information; Title 13 of the 

U.S. Code protects the confidentiality of all collected 

information. Violating this law is a crime with severe 

penalties. Please visit <www.census.gov/about

/policies/privacy/data_protection/federal_law.html>.

OUR PRIVACY PRINCIPLES

We recognize the value of respondent trust, and 

we believe that when a person answers the 2020 

Census or the ACS we must serve as caretakers of the 

information. The Census Bureau’s Privacy Principles 

remind us of this promise and help ensure the 

protection of respondent information throughout all of 

our activities.

The Privacy Principles are our guidelines. They help 

us as we determine content to consider respondents’ 

rights and concerns. Every principle embodies a 

promise to the respondent.

Necessity: Do we need to collect 

information on this subject?

Every time we prepare to ask a question, we determine 

whether the information is truly necessary. All of the 

information we collect is used for federal programs.

• We promise to collect only information necessary for 

each survey and census.

• We promise that we will use the information only 

to produce timely, relevant statistics about the 

population and the economy of the United States.

Openness: Do respondents know why we 

are collecting this information?

We collect information only for statistical purposes, 

and it is never used to identify individuals. Before 

participating, respondents have the right to know why 

we are conducting the survey or census, why we are 

asking specific questions, and the purposes for which 

the information will be used.

• We promise to inform respondents about the 

purpose and uses for every survey or census we 

conduct before respondents provide answers.

Respectful treatment of respondents: Are 

our efforts reasonable and do we treat 

people with respect?

• We promise to minimize the effort and time it takes 

for respondents to participate in the data collection 

by efficient designs.

• We promise to use only legal, ethical, and 

professionally accepted practices in collecting data.

• We promise to ensure any collection of sensitive 

information from children and other sensitive 

populations does not violate federal protections 

for research participants and is done only when it 

benefits the public good.

Confidentiality: How do we protect this 

information?

In addition to removing personally identifiable 

information (i.e., names, telephone numbers, and 

addresses) from our data files, we use various 

approaches to protect personal information—including 

computer technologies, statistical methodologies, and 

security procedures.

Our security measures ensure that only a restricted 

number of authorized people have access to private 

information and that access is only granted to conduct 

our work and for no other purposes. Every person who 

works with census confidential information collected by 

the Census Bureau is sworn for life to uphold the law.

Violating the confidentiality of a respondent is a 

federal crime with serious penalties, including a 

federal prison sentence of up to 5 years, a fine of up 

to $250,000, or both.

• We promise that every person with access to 

respondent information is sworn for life to protect 

respondent confidentiality.

• We promise that we will use every technology, 

statistical methodology, and physical security 

procedure at our disposal to protect respondent 

information.
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 3

Operational Questions

Some operational questions will appear on the 2020 

Census and American Community Survey that will 

not result in published counts or estimates. These 

questions are asked to better administer the data 

collection process and to ensure greater accuracy of 

the data collected through the other subjects.

A person’s contact information, including 

name and phone number, are requested 

in case someone must be reminded to 

complete their response or to verify 

information in a follow-up operation.

Contact information is not part of published estimates 

and is carefully protected, as mandated by federal law, 

to respect the personal information of respondents.

An address is verified or requested to 

ensure that the data collected from the 

people in each household are included in 

the correct place.

The U.S. Census Bureau is required to provide state 

legislatures with the small-area census population 

tabulations necessary for legislative redistricting. 

For example, a county count will be a summary of 

the data collected from all of the addresses in that 

county. To ensure that a household’s data are included 

with the correct town, county, and state counts, we 

need to ensure that we know where the information 

was collected. Addresses are not part of published 

tabulations and are carefully protected, as mandated 

by federal law, to respect the personal information of 

respondents.

The 2020 Census questions about the 

number of people in the home, whether 

anyone was included who does not usually 

live or stay there, or whether anyone 

who does usually live or stay there 

was forgotten, are used to ensure that 

everyone is counted once, only once, and 

in the right place.

The first U.S. decennial census in 1790 established 

the concept of “usual residence” as the main principle 

in determining where people were to be counted. The 

Census Bureau uses residence criteria to determine 

whom to count and where, especially because the place 

where a person lives and sleeps most of the time is not 

necessarily the same as the person’s voting residence 

or legal residence. Asking these additional questions 

helps ensure that no one is missed, people are not 

counted in multiple locations, and that people are 

included in the right place.

The 2020 Census questions about maritime 

vessels, military living quarters, and other 

group quarters facilities, such as college 

or university student housing, nursing/

skilled nursing facilities, group homes, 

emergency and transitional shelters for 

people experiencing homelessness, and 

other such locations, are used to better 

administer the data collection process in 

group living situations.

Asking these additional questions helps ensure 

accurate classification of group quarters which is a part 

of the Census Bureau’s mission to ensure that everyone 

is counted once, only once, and in the right place. 
4 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Operational Questions Data

U.S. Department of Commerce, The Census Act,13 USC § 141(c)

Bureau of the Census

U.S. Department of Commerce, The Census Act,13 USC § 181

Bureau of the Census
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 5

Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and the 

American Community Survey

U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 7

Age

Age asked since 1790.

Age data are used in planning and funding government 

programs that provide funds or services for specific 

age groups, such as children, working-age adults, 

women of childbearing age, or the older population. 

These statistics are also used to enforce laws, 

regulations, and policies against age discrimination in 

government programs and in society.

AGE DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Provide Assistance to Older Americans

Knowing how many people in a community are aged 

60 and older helps local officials provide programs and 

services that enable older adults to remain living safely 

in their homes and communities (Older Americans 

Act). Age data are also used in programs that provide 

services and assistance to seniors, such as financial 

assistance with utilities (Low Income Home Energy 

Assistance Program).

Provide Assistance to Children and 

Families

Knowing the numbers and ages of children in families 

in combination with other information, such as 

household income, health insurance status, and poverty 

status, can help communities enroll eligible families 

in programs designed to assist them. For example, 

age data are used in targeted efforts to enroll eligible 

people in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance 

Program.

Educate Children and Adults

Knowing how many children and adults depend on 

services through schools helps school districts make 

long-term building, staffing, and funding decisions. 

Age in combination with other information, such as 

disability status, language spoken at home, and poverty 

status, assists schools in understanding the needs of 

their students and qualifying for grants that help fund 

programs for those students (Elementary and Secondary 

Education Act of 1965). 

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Knowing the ages of people in the community 

in combination with information about housing, 

employment, and education, helps government and 

communities enforce laws, regulations, and policies 

against discrimination based on age. For example, age 

information is used to analyze the employment status of 

workers by age (Age Discrimination in Employment Act).

AGE AND DATE OF BIRTH 

QUESTIONS ARE USED TO 

UNDERSTAND THE SIZE AND 

CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT 

AGE GROUPS AND TO PRESENT 

OTHER DATA BY AGE.
8 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Age Data

U.S. Department of Agriculture 42 USC §§ 1472, 1474, 1485, 1486, 1490, and 1490a 7 CFR 

3550.10

U.S. Department of Education 20 USC §§ 6333, 6334(a)(1), 6335(a), and 6337(b)(1)(A)

U.S. Department of Education 220 USC §§ 6821, 6824, 7011(5), and 7801(20)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Community Living

42 USC 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 

111–148, § 10334; 42 USC 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and 

Evaluation

42 USC § 1397ii(b)(2)(A)–(C) 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 

Development

12 USC § 1701q; 24 CFR part 891

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Voting Rights Act of 1965, Public Law 89-110, as amended, 

§ 203; 52 USC § 10503; 28 CFR Part 55

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division 

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352; 

42 USC § 2000e-2

U.S. Department of Labor Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000, Public Law 

109-365, 42 USC § 3056e; 20 CFR 641.140, 641.360, and 

641.365

U.S. Department of Labor 29 USC §§ 49f(a)(3)(D), 49g(d), and 49l-2(a)15

U.S. Department of Transportation Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Public Law 114-

94; 49 USC § 5303(c), (e), (h), (i), (j),(k), and (n)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 38 USC § 8104(b)(2)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Public 

Law 92-500, 33 USC § 1254(a)(1)–(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), (b)(7), (n)

(1), and (o)(1)

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of General Counsel

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Public Law 

90-202, 29 USC § 623(a)–(d) and 633a; 29 CFR 1625.7(d); 

Hazelwood School Dist. v. United States, 433 U.S. 299 

(1977)

U.S. Social Security Administration The Social Security Act, Public Law 74-271, as amended, 42 

USC § 401(c)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 9

Gender

Gender asked since 1790.

Gender data are used in planning and funding 

government programs and in evaluating other 

government programs and policies to ensure they 

fairly and equitably serve the needs of males and 

females. These statistics are also used to enforce laws, 

regulations, and policies against discrimination in 

government programs and in society.

GENDER DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Knowing the gender of people in the community 

in combination with information about housing, 

voting, language, employment, and education, 

helps government and communities enforce laws, 

regulations, and policies against discrimination on 

the basis of gender. For example, gender data are 

used to enforce laws against discrimination based on 

gender in education programs and activities receiving 

federal financial assistance (Title IX of the Education 

Amendments of 1972).

Understand Changes

Knowing whether people of different genders have the 

same opportunities in education, employment, voting, 

home ownership, and many other areas is of interest to 

researchers, advocacy groups, and policymakers. For 

example, the National Science Foundation uses gender 

data to provide information on women in the science 

and engineering workforce, and several agencies use 

gender data to investigate whether women, including 

women who are military veterans, have similar 

employment opportunities as men.

A QUESTION ABOUT THE GENDER 

OF EACH PERSON IS USED TO 

CREATE STATISTICS ABOUT 

MALES AND FEMALES AND TO 

PRESENT OTHER DATA, SUCH AS 

OCCUPATION, BY GENDER.
10 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Gender Data

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC § 8623(a)(2) and (4), § 8629(a)(1)–(3), and (6), 

§ 8629(b)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Community Living

42 USC 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

42 USC §§ 299a(a)(3),(6),(8), 299b-2(a)(1), and 299(c)(1)(B)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-

148, § 10334; 42 USC 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau 

of Clinician Recruitment and Service 

42 USC § 254e; 42 CFR 5.2

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and 

Evaluation

42 USC § 1397ii (b)(2)(A)–(C)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 

Development

Fair Housing Act, Public Law 90–284, 42 USC 3600–3620, 

42 USC 3608(e)

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 

42 USC § 2000e(2)(k); Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio; 

490 U.S. 642 (1989)

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 USC 

§ 1701 et seq.

U.S. Department of Transportation Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Public Law 114-

94; 49 USC § 5303(c), (e), (h), (i), (j),(k), and (n)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 38 USC § 546 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Public 

Law 92-500, 33 USC § 1254(a)(1)–(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), (b)(7), (n)

(1), and (o)(1)

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of General Counsel

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352;42 USC § 2000e2(k)(1)(A); Hazelwood School Dist. v. United States, 433 U.S. 

299, 307–308 (1977)

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of Research, Information, and Planning

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352; 42 USC § 2000e2(k)(1)(A); Hazelwood School Dist. v. United States, 433 U.S. 

299, 307–308 (1977)

U.S. Social Security Administration The Social Security Act, Public Law 74-271, as amended, 42 

USC § 401(c) 
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 11

Race/Ethnicity

Race asked since 1790, ethnicity asked since 1970.

These data are required for federal and state programs 

and are critical factors in the basic research behind 

numerous policies, particularly for civil rights. Race 

and ethnicity data are used in planning and funding 

government programs that provide funds or services 

for specific groups. These data are also used to 

evaluate government programs and policies to ensure 

they fairly and equitably serve the needs of all racial 

and ethnic groups and to monitor compliance with 

antidiscrimination laws, regulations, and policies. States 

also use these data to meet legislative redistricting 

requirements. 

The U.S. Census Bureau collects race and ethnicity data 

in accordance with the 1997 Office of Management and 

Budget standards on race and ethnicity. The categories 

on race and ethnicity are based on self-identification and 

generally reflect a social definition of race and ethnicity. 

The categories are not an attempt to define race and 

ethnicity biologically, anthropologically, or genetically.

RACE AND ETHNICITY DATA HELP 

COMMUNITIES:

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Knowing the races and ethnicities of community 

members in combination with information about 

housing, voting, language, employment, and 

education, helps government and communities enforce 

antidiscrimination laws, regulations, and policies. 

For example, race and ethnicity data are used in the 

following ways:

• Establish and evaluate the guidelines for federal 

affirmative action plans under the Federal Equal 

Opportunity Recruitment Program. 

• Monitor compliance with the Voting Rights Act and 

enforce bilingual requirements. 

• Monitor and enforce equal employment 

opportunities under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

• Identify segments of the population who may not 

be getting needed medical services under the Public 

Health Service Act. 

• Allocate funds to school districts for bilingual 

services under the Bilingual Education Act.

Understand Changes

Knowing if people of different races and ethnicities 

have the same opportunities in education, employment, 

voting, home ownership, and many other areas is 

of interest to researchers, advocacy groups, and 

policymakers. The National Science Foundation uses 

data on race and ethnicity to provide information on 

people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds in 

the science and engineering workforce. Several federal 

agencies use race and ethnicity data to investigate 

whether housing or transportation improvements have 

unintended consequences for specific race and ethnic 

groups. Data on race and ethnicity are used with age 

and language data to address language and cultural 

diversity needs in health care plans for the older 

population.

Administer Programs for Specific Groups

Knowing how many people are eligible to participate in 

certain programs helps communities, including tribal 

governments, ensure that programs are operating 

as intended. For example, the Indian Housing Block 

Grant program, Indian Community Development Block 

Grant program, and Indian Health Service all depend 

on accurate estimates of American Indians and Alaska 

Natives. Data for the American Indian and Alaska 

Native population come from the questions about a 

person’s race or ethnicity.

QUESTIONS ABOUT A PERSON’S 

RACE OR ETHNICITY ARE USED 

TO CREATE DATA ABOUT RACE 

AND ETHNIC GROUPS.
12 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Race/Ethnicity Data

U.S. Department of Commerce, 

Bureau of the Census

13 USC § 141(c)

U.S. Department of Commerce, 

Bureau of the Census

52 USC § 10503

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

Community Services Block Grant Act, Public Law 105-285, 

42 USC §§ 9902(2), 9903, and 9908(b)(1)(A), (b)(11), and 

(c)(1)(A)(i) 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Community Living

Older Americans Act of 1965, Public Law 89-73, 42 USC § 

3018

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Community Living

42 USC 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-

148, § 10334; 42 USC § 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Indian Health Service

Snyder Act, Nov. 2, 1921, c. 115, 25 USC § 13; Transfer 

Act, Aug. 5, 1954, c. 658, § 2, 42 USC § 2001(a); Indian 

Healthcare Improvement Act, Public Law 94-43; 25 USC § 

1602 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public 

Law 101–625, 42 USC 12705(b)(1)–(3); 24 CFR Part 91, 24 

CFR 91.205(a)–(c)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 USC 11371–

11376; 24 CFR Part 91

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, 42 

USC 5306(a)(1); 24 CFR §1003.101 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Native American Housing Assistance and SelfDetermination Act of 1996, Public Law 104-330, as 

amended, 25 USC § 4152(b); 24 CFR 1000.324–1000.330 

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 USC § 2000e-2

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Voting Rights Act of 1965, § 203, 52 USC § 10503; 28 CFR 

Part 55

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Public 

Law 92-500, 33 USC § 1254(a)(1)–(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), (b)(7), (n)

(1), and (o)(1)

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of Research, Information, and Planning

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 42 USC § 2000e2(k)(1)(A); Hazelwood School Dist. v. United States, 433 U.S. 

299, 307–308 (1977)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 13

Relationship

Relationship asked since 1880.

Relationship data are used in planning and funding 

government programs that provide funds or services 

for families, people living or raising children alone, 

grandparents living with grandchildren, or other 

households that qualify for additional assistance. 

RELATIONSHIP DATA HELP 

COMMUNITIES:

Provide Adequate Housing

Knowing about the different types of households 

in a community (single people, couples, families, 

roommates, etc.) helps communities understand 

whether available housing meets the needs of residents. 

Information about the relationships among people in a 

household, in combination with housing costs and the 

combined income of all people in a household, helps 

communities understand whether housing is affordable 

for residents.

When housing is not sufficient or not affordable, 

relationship data can help communities enroll eligible 

households in programs designed to assist them, 

and can help communities qualify for grants from 

the Community Development Block Grant, HOME 

Investment Partnership Program, Emergency Solutions 

Grant, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, 

and other programs.

Provide Assistance to Families

Knowing more about families, such as the ages of 

children, household income, health insurance status, 

and poverty status, can help communities enroll eligible 

families in programs designed to assist them, such as 

Head Start and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, 

and can help communities qualify for grants to fund 

these programs. Relationship data are also used to 

ensure that programs like Temporary Assistance for 

Needy Families are making a difference for families.

Understand Changing Households

Information about living arrangements and how they are 

changing, including whether older residents are staying 

in their homes as they age, whether young people are 

living with parents or moving in with roommates, and 

which kinds of households include young children, 

can help communities plan future programs and 

services for residents. For example, the Social Security 

Administration estimates future program needs based 

on the current relationships of working people.

A QUESTION ABOUT THE 

RELATIONSHIP OF EACH PERSON 

IN A HOUSEHOLD TO ONE 

CENTRAL PERSON IS USED TO 

CREATE ESTIMATES ABOUT 

FAMILIES, HOUSEHOLDS, AND 

OTHER GROUPS, AND TO 

PRESENT OTHER DATA AT A 

HOUSEHOLD LEVEL.
14 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Relationship Data

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 

National Center for Health Statistics

42 USC § 242k(b), (h), and (l)

U.S. Department of Energy Energy Conservation and Production Act, Public Law 

94-385, as amended, 42 USC § 6861, 6864; 10 CFR 

440.10

U.S. Department of Transportation Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Public Law 

114-94; 49 USC § 5303(c), (e), (h), (i), (j),(k), and (n)

U.S. Department of Education 20 USC §§ 6333, 6334(a)(1), 6335(a), 6337(b)(1)(A)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC §§ 8629 (a) (1)–(3) and (5)–(6), 8629 (b), and 8622 

(11)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

13 USC § 141 note 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Community Living

Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights 

Act of 2000, Public Law 106-402, § 124(c)(5); 42 USC 

15024

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 

111-148, §10334; 42 USC 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and 

Evaluation

42 USC § 1397ii (b)(2)(A)–(C)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 USC 11371–

11376; 24 CFR Part 91

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as 

amended, Public Law 93-383, 42 USC 5301, 5302, and 

5305; 24 CFR 91.205(a)–(c ), 91.305(a)–(c), 570.208(a)(1), 

570.483(b)(1), 570.704(a)–(c), 570.707(a)–(c), and 570.901

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public 

Law 101–625, 42 USC 12705(b)(1)–(3); 24 CFR Part 91; 24 

CFR 91.205(a)–(c)

U.S. Social Security Administration The Social Security Act, Public Law 74–271, as amended, 

42 USC § 401(c)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 

110-389, Title III—Labor and Education Matters, Subtitle C—

Vocational Rehabilitation Matters, § 334, 38 USC § 3122
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 15

Tenure (Owner/Renter)

Tenure asked since 1890.

Tenure is the most basic characteristic to asses 

housing inventory. Tenure data are used in government 

programs that analyze whether adequate housing is 

affordable for residents. Tenure data are also used to 

provide and fund housing assistance programs. These 

statistics are also used to enforce laws, regulations, 

and policies against discrimination in private-market 

housing, government programs, and in society.

TENURE DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Provide Adequate Housing

Knowing the different types of households in 

a community (single people, couples, families, 

roommates, etc.) and rates of home rental and 

ownership helps communities understand whether 

available housing meets the needs of residents. Data 

about owners and renters, in combination with housing 

costs and the combined income of all people in a 

household, help communities understand whether 

housing is affordable for residents.

When housing is not sufficient or affordable, data 

about owners and renters can help communities enroll 

eligible households in programs designed to assist 

them, and can help communities qualify for grants 

from the Community Development Block Grant, HOME 

Investment Partnership Program, Emergency Solutions 

Grant, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, 

and other programs.

Plan Community Development

Knowing how the balance of rented homes, mortgaged 

homes, and homes owned free and clear changes over 

time can help communities understand changes in local 

housing markets; identify opportunities to improve 

tax, assistance, and zoning policies; and to reduce tax 

revenue losses from vacant or abandoned properties. 

Tenure is also used in formulas that communities use 

to determine housing assistance funding (Fair Market 

Rents).

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Knowing the characteristics of people who rent and 

people who own homes in the community, such as 

age, gender, race, Hispanic origin, disability, helps 

government and communities enforce laws, such 

as the 1968 Fair Housing Act, designed to eliminate 

discrimination in housing. 

Understand Changing Households

Knowing whether older residents are staying in homes 

as they age or moving into rented homes; and whether 

young people are staying with parents, renting with 

roommates, or buying homes, can help governments 

and communities distribute funds appropriately 

between home ownership and rental housing programs 

and services for residents. 

A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER A 

HOME IS OWNED OR RENTED IS 

USED TO CREATE DATA ABOUT 

TENURE, RENTERS, AND HOME 

OWNERSHIP.
16 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Tenure Data

U.S. Department of Agriculture 42 USC §§ 1472, 1474, 1485, 1486, 1490, 1490a, 1490l, 

1490m, 1490p-2, 1490r; 7 CFR 1940.563–564, 1940.575, 

3560.11, and 3560.152(a)(2)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 USC § 

11371–11376; 24 CFR Part 91

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public 

Law 93–383, as amended, 42 USC § 1439 (d)(1)(A)(i); 24 

CFR 791.402

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development United States Housing Act of 1937, Public Law 93-383, as 

amended, 42 USC § 1437f(c)(1); 24 CFR 888.113; 24 CFR 

982.401 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public 

Law 101–625, 42 USC 12705(b)(1)–(3); 24 CFR Part 91, 24 

CFR 91.205(a)–(c)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Rehabilitation Act of 1973, § 504, Public Law 93-112, 29 

USC 794; 24 CFR § 8.22(b); 24 CFR § 8.23(a)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 12 USC § 4568

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 12 USC § 1701q; 24 CFR part 891

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Tax Reform Act of 1986, Public Law 99-514, 26 USC § 

42(d)(5)(B)(ii)(I), (iii)(I), (iv), and(g); 15 U.S.C § 631

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Voting Rights Act of 1965; 52 USC § 10301; 28 CFR 

Part 51; LULAC v. Perry, 548 U.S. 399 (2006); Johnson v. 

DeGrandy, 512 U.S. 997 (1994); Thornburg V. Gingles, 478 

U.S. 30 (1986)

U.S. Department of Transportation 49 USC § 5303; 49 CFR Part 613

U.S. Department of Transportation Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Public Law 

114-94; 49 USC § 5303(c), (e), (h), (i), (j),(k), and (n)

U.S. Department of Transportation 49 USC §§ 6302(b)(3)(B), 6302(c), 6304(a), 6309(a)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 17

Subjects Planned for the American Community Survey

U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 19

Acreage and Agricultural Sales

Acreage asked since 1960, agricultural sales asked since 1960.

These data are used in planning government programs 

designed to benefit the farm population and identifying 

or excluding agricultural areas for many other programs.

ACREAGE AND AGRICULTURAL SALES 

DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Provide Equitable Housing Assistance

Knowing which homes might qualify for farm subsidies, 

and which homes qualify for housing subsidies, is 

important to ensure that funds are fairly allocated. 

For example, the historical definition of Fair Market 

Rents, used to allocate housing assistance, has always 

excluded units on acreage of more than 10 acres to 

eliminate those units that might benefit from farm 

subsidies and therefore have lower-than-market rents. 

Understanding which kinds of properties are eligible 

for certain programs helps communities inform eligible 

residents and determine whether the community is 

eligible for funds based on its farm population. 

Support Agricultural Programs

Knowing which areas of a community are agricultural 

helps communities ensure eligible institutions receive 

funding for cooperative agricultural extension work 

and agricultural research. This funding is distributed to 

eligible institutions based on a legislatively determined 

formula that uses these data.

Plan Community Development

Knowing the size and agricultural nature of areas of 

each community can help communities understand 

changes in local housing markets; identify opportunities 

to improve tax, assistance, and zoning policies; and 

reduce tax revenue losses from vacant or abandoned 

properties. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 

ACREAGE ASSOCIATED WITH 

HOUSES, MOBILE HOMES, AND 

AGRICULTURAL SALES ARE 

USED TO CREATE DATA ABOUT 

AGRICULTURAL PROPERTIES AND 

TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOME 

VALUE STATISTICS.
20 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Acreage and Agricultural Sales Data

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Tax Reform Act of 1986, Public Law 99-514, 26 USC § 

42(d)(5)(B)(iii)(I); 15 USC § 631

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development United States Housing Act of 1937, Public Law 93-383, as 

amended, 42 USC § 1437f(c)(1); 24 CFR 888.113, 24 CFR 

982.401 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Air Pollution Control Act (Clean Air Act), Public Law 

84-159, 42 USC § 7403(a)(1), (b)(6), (b)(7), (e), and (g)

U.S. Federal Reserve Board Public Law 95-128,12 USC § 2901 et seq.; 12 CFR 228.12

U.S. Federal Reserve Board Public Law 94-200, 12 USC § 2809(a);12 CFR 203
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 21

Ancestry

Ancestry asked since 1980.

Ancestry data are used in planning and evaluating 

government programs and policies to ensure they fairly 

and equitably serve the needs of all groups. These 

statistics are also used to enforce laws, regulations, 

and policies against discrimination in society.

ANCESTRY DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Knowing the ethnic groups in a community in 

combination with information about housing, 

voting, language, employment, and education, 

helps government and communities enforce laws, 

regulations, and policies against discrimination 

based on national origin. For example, ancestry data 

are used to enforce nondiscrimination in education 

(including monitoring desegregation); to enforce 

nondiscrimination in employment by federal agencies, 

private employers, employment agencies, and labor 

organizations; and to enforce laws, regulations, and 

policies against discrimination in federal financial 

assistance (Civil Rights Act of 1964).

Understand Changes

Knowing whether people from different backgrounds 

have the same opportunities in education, employment, 

voting, home ownership, and many other areas is 

of interest to researchers, advocacy groups, and 

policymakers. For example, ancestry data are used 

with age and language data to address language and 

cultural diversity needs in health care plans for the older 

population.

A QUESTION ABOUT A PERSON’S 

ANCESTRY OR ETHNIC ORIGIN 

IS USED TO CREATE STATISTICS 

ABOUT ANCESTRY GROUPS IN 

AMERICA. 
22 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Ancestry Data

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 

National Center for Health Statistics

42 USC § 242k(b), (h), and (l)

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 USC § 

2000d–2000d-7; 28 CFR 42.101–42.112; 28 CFR 42.401–

42.415; 28 CFR 50.3; 67 Fed. Reg. 41,555 (June 18, 2002); 

Lau v. Nichols, 414 U.S. 563 (1974)

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, 20 USC § 1701 

et seq.; Castaneda v. Pickard, 648 F.2d 989 (1981)

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 USC § 2000c et seq.

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of General Counsel

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352; 42 USC § 

2000e-2(k)(1)(A); Hazelwood School Dist. v. United States, 

433 U.S. 299, 307–308 (1977)

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of Research, Information, and Planning

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352; 42 USC § 

2000e-2(k)(1)(A); Hazelwood School Dist. v. United States, 

433 U.S. 299, 307–308 (1977)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Public 

Law 92-500, 33 USC § 1254(a)(1)–(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), (b)(7), (n)

(1), and (o)(1)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

Community Services Block Grant Act, Public Law 105-285, § 

673 (2), 674, and 681A, 42 USC § 9902 (2), 9903, and 9908 

(b)(1)(A), (b)(11), and (c)(1)(A)(i)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Indian Health Service

Snyder Act, Nov. 2, 1921, c. 115; 25 USC § 13; Transfer Act, 

Aug. 5, 1954, c. 658, § 2, 42 USC § 2001(a); 42 C.F.R. § 

136.12(a)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office for Civil Rights

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 USC § 2000d; 

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act § 1557, 42 USC § 

18116
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 23

Commuting (Journey to Work)

Journey to work asked since 1960.

Journey to work data are used in planning and funding 

for improvements to road and highway infrastructure, 

developing transportation plans and services, and 

understanding where people are traveling in the course 

of a normal day. These data are also used to evaluate 

transportation plans to ensure they fairly and equitably 

serve the needs of all groups. 

COMMUTING DATA HELP 

COMMUNITIES:

Improve Transportation Planning

Knowing where people commute to and from, and what 

time of day they are commuting, helps transportation 

planners create mass transportation and metropolitan 

transportation plans that are compliant with various 

transportation, environmental, and antidiscrimination 

regulations.

Local agencies and organizations use these statistics to 

plan transportation programs and services that meet 

the diverse needs of local populations, including the 

disabled population, bicycle commuters, carpool and 

ride-shares, and many other groups. Commuting data 

are also used to forecast future use of new or updated 

transportation systems.

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Knowing where people could reasonably commute 

from in order to work in a certain area is used by 

communities and businesses for employment planning, 

and by communities and governments to enforce 

laws, regulations, and policies against employment 

discrimination.

Understand Changes in Commutes

As commuting patterns change, information about 

where people could reasonably commute from in 

order to work in a certain area is used to understand 

commercial markets and labor force participation, and 

to plan local emergency response programs.

QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE 

PEOPLE WORK, HOW THEY GET 

THERE, WHEN THEY LEAVE, 

AND HOW LONG IT TAKES ARE 

USED TO CREATE DATA ABOUT 

COMMUTING OR A PERSON’S 

JOURNEY TO WORK.
24 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Commuting (Journey to Work) Data

U.S. Department of Energy Energy Policy Act of 1992, Public Law 102-486, 42 USC § 

13385

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

Community Services Block Grant Act, Public Law 105-285, 

42 USC § 9902 (2), 9903, and 9908 (b)(1)(A), (b)(11), and (c)

(1)(A)(i)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

2003 Medicare Modernization Act, 42 USC § 1395ww(d)(13)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Health Resources and Services Administration, 

National Center for Healthcare Workforce Analysis

Public Health Service Act, §§ 761(b)(2)(A), 792(a), 792(b)(2), 

and 806(f)(1), 42 USC §§ 294n, 295k, and 296e

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 USC § 2000e(2)

(k); Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio, 490 U.S. 642 (1989)

U.S. Department of the Interior Public Law 102-477, 25 USC §§ 3401 and 3416; Senate 

Report 102-188

U.S. Department of Transportation 49 USC § 5303; 49 CFR Part 613

U.S. Department of Transportation Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Public Law 114-

94; 49 USC § 5304; 49 CFR Part 613, Subpart B

U.S. Department of Transportation Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Public Law 114-

94; 49 USC § 5303(c), (e), (h), (i), (j),(k), and (n)

U.S. Department of Transportation 49 USC §§ 6302(b)(3)(B), 6303(c ), 6304(a), 6309 (a)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Public 

Law 92-500, 33 USC §§ 1254(a)(1)–(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), (b)(7), 

(n)(1), (o)(1)

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of Federal Operations

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Public Law 93-112; 29 USC § 

791(b); 29 CFR 1614.602
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 25

Computer and Internet Use

Computer and Internet use asked since 2013.

These statistics were first released to the public in 

September 2014. The questions were added as a 

requirement of the Broadband Data Improvement 

Act of 2008. They help federal agencies measure the 

nationwide development of broadband access and 

decrease barriers to broadband access.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE DATA 

HELP COMMUNITIES:

Ensure Residents Can Communicate

State and local agencies can use these statistics to 

evaluate access to broadband in their communities. 

They can measure access to information on the 

Internet, including access for schools, libraries, rural 

health care providers, and other public services. 

Communities ensure their residents are connected 

to assistance programs, emergency services, and 

important information. These statistics may also be 

useful to understand whether to use Internet or more 

expensive outreach methods for distributing important 

public health or safety information.

Federal agencies use these data to evaluate the extent 

of access to, and adoption of broadband, with a focus 

on underserved areas. State and local agencies might 

choose to use these statistics to evaluate access to 

broadband in their communities. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 

COMPUTERS AND DEVICES 

THAT PEOPLE USE, WHETHER 

PEOPLE ACCESS THE INTERNET, 

AND HOW PEOPLE ACCESS THE 

INTERNET ARE USED TO CREATE 

DATA ABOUT COMPUTER AND 

INTERNET USE.
26 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Computer and Internet Use Data

U.S. Federal Communications Commission Broadband Data Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 110-

385, 47 USC § 1303(d)

U.S. Department of Commerce, 

National Telecommunications and Information 

Administration

Broadband Data Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 110-

385, 47 USC § 1303(d)

U.S. Department of Transportation Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Public Law 114-

94; 49 USC § 5304; 49 CFR Part 613, Subpart B
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 27

Disability

Disability asked since 1830.

Disability data are used in planning and funding 

government programs that provide funds or services 

for populations with disabilities. In addition, these data 

are used in evaluating other government programs 

and policies to ensure that they fairly and equitably 

serve the needs of all groups. These statistics are also 

used to enforce laws, regulations, and policies against 

discrimination.

DISABILITY DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Provide Adequate Housing

Knowing the different types of disabled households in 

a community helps communities understand whether 

available housing meets the needs of residents. When 

housing is not sufficient or not affordable, disability 

data can help communities enroll eligible households 

in programs designed to assist them and can help 

communities qualify for grants from the Community 

Development Block Grant, HOME Investment 

Partnership Program, Emergency Solutions Grants, 

Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, and other 

programs.

Provide Health Care to Children and 

Families

Knowing the disability status of people in families 

in combination with other information, such as 

household income, health insurance status, and 

poverty status, can help communities enroll eligible 

families in programs designed to assist them. For 

example, disability data are used to target efforts to 

enroll eligible people in Marketplace, Medicaid, and the 

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Disability 

data are also used to ensure that Marketplace, 

Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP programs are adequately 

serving these families.

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Knowing the disability status of people in the 

community in combination with information about 

housing, voting, employment, and education, 

helps governments and communities enforce laws, 

regulations, and policies against discrimination based 

on disability status. For example, disability data are 

used to evaluate whether there are health care or public 

health program disparities based on disability status 

(Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights 

Act of 2000).

Provide Assistance to People With 

Disabilities

Knowing how many people in a community over a 

certain age have a disability helps local officials provide 

programs and services to older adults that enable them 

to remain living safely in their homes and communities 

(Older Americans Act). Disability status data are also 

used in programs that provide services and assistance to 

people with a disability, such as financial assistance with 

utilities (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program).

Understand Changes

Knowing whether people with disabilities have the 

same opportunities in education, employment, voting, 

home ownership, and many other areas is of interest 

to researchers, advocacy groups, and policymakers. 

Communities also need to understand changes in the 

needs and geographic concentrations of people with 

disabilities to ensure that they can meet the community’s 

needs during weather events, disasters, and public 

health emergencies.

QUESTIONS ABOUT A PERSON’S 

DIFFICULTY WITH SPECIFIC DAILY 

TASKS ARE USED TO CREATE 

STATISTICS ABOUT DISABILITY.
28 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Disability Data

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 

National Center for Health Statistics

42 USC § 242k(b), (h), and (l)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Public Health Service Act, § 301, 42 USC 241; Public Health 

Service Act, § 3101, 42 USC 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Community Living

42 USC 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Community Living

Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act 

of 2000, Public Law 106-402, § 124(c)(5); 42 USC 15024

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Community Living

Older Americans Act of 1965; Public Law 89-73; 42 USC § 

3013, 3024, 3030s-1, 3032

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-

148, §10334; 42 USC 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Health Resources and Services Administration

Public Health Service Act § 792(b)(2), 42 USC § 295(k)(b)(2)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Indian Health Service

Snyder Act, Nov. 2, 1921, c. 115; 25 USC § 13; Transfer 

Act, Aug. 5, 1954, c. 658, § 2, 42 USC § 2001(a); Indian 

Healthcare Improvement Act, Public Law 94-43, 25 USC § 

1602

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office for Civil Rights

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, § 504 , Public Law 93-112; 

Americans With Disabilities Act Titles II and III, as amended 

by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Public Law 110-325, 

42 USC 126

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 USC 11371–

11376; 24 CFR Part 91

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public 

Law 101–625, 42 USC 12705(b)(1)–(3); 24 CFR Part 91; 24 

CFR 91.205(a)–(c)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 

Development

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, § 504, Public Law 93-112, 29 

USC 794; 24 CFR §8.22(b); 24 CFR §8.23(a)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 38 USC § 546

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 38 USC § 8104(b)(2) 
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 29

Fertility

Fertility asked since 1890.

Fertility data are used in planning government 

programs and adjusting other important data, such as 

the size of the population eligible for different services, 

as new people are born. These statistics can also be 

used to project the future size of the population and to 

understand more about growing families.

FERTILITY DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Provide Health Care to Children and 

Families

Knowing the numbers of women with a recent birth 

in combination with other information, such as 

marital status, labor force status, household income, 

health insurance status, and poverty status, can help 

communities understand changes in the demand for 

health care. For example, knowing how many American 

Indian babies are born can help communities, tribes, 

and the federal government estimate the demand for 

health care through the Indian Health Service.

Understand Changing Households

Knowing the characteristics of women who are giving 

birth, including where in the country they live, is 

important to understand the relationships among 

different development patterns, including housing and 

travel information and public health and pollution.

Though local vital statistics offices typically have 

a count of births per year, fertility data are able to 

provide federal program planners, policymakers, and 

researchers with additional statistics about the age, 

education, and employment of parents in households 

welcoming children, and other important information 

about the homes (age, size, etc.) and households 

(income, language spoken, etc.) for a more complete 

picture of families. 

State and local agencies can use these statistics 

in combination with other information about 

new mothers, such as education and income, to 

understand future needs for the local education 

system and health services.

A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER 

A WOMAN HAD A BABY IN THE 

LAST YEAR IS USED TO CREATE 

STATISTICS ABOUT FERTILITY. 
30 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Fertility Data

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Public 

Law 92-500, 33 USC § 1254(a)(1)–(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), (b)(7), (n)(1), 

and (o)(1)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Indian Health Service

Snyder Act, Nov. 2, 1921, c. 115, 25 USC § 13; Transfer Act, 

Aug. 5, 1954, c. 658, § 2, 42 USC § 2001(a); Indian Healthcare 

Improvement Act, Public Law 94-43, 25 USC § 1602

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Indian Health Service

Snyder Act, Nov. 2, 1921, c. 115, 25 USC § 13; Transfer Act, 

Aug. 5, 1954, c. 658, § 2, 42 USC § 2001(a); Indian Healthcare 

Improvement Act, Public Law 94-43, 25 USC § 1602
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 31

Grandparent Caregivers

Grandparent caregivers asked since 2000.

Grandparent caregiver data help federal agencies 

understand the special provisions needed for federal 

programs designed to assist families, as older 

Americans are often in different financial, housing, and 

health circumstances than those of other ages. These 

data are also used to measure the effects of policies 

and programs that focus on the well-being of families, 

including tax policies and financial assistance programs.

GRANDPARENT CAREGIVER DATA HELP 

COMMUNITIES:

Provide Assistance to Families

Knowing more about families, particularly those where 

grandparents care for grandchildren, along with data 

about the ages of children, household income, disability, 

and poverty status can help communities enroll eligible 

families in programs designed to assist them, such as 

the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and can help 

communities qualify for grants to fund these programs. 

These data are also used to evaluate programs like 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Provide Assistance to Older Americans

Knowing how many people in a community are over 

a certain age, including whether older Americans are 

caring for grandchildren, helps local officials fund 

programs and services targeted to reach older adults 

with the greatest economic and social needs (Older 

Americans Act). 

Understand Changing Households

Knowing more about how often grandparents are 

responsible for the basic care for grandchildren and how 

long they have been responsible in combination with 

information about age, presence of children, income, 

etc., can help communities understand if available 

housing and services are meeting residents’ needs.

QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER 

A PERSON IS THE PRIMARY 

CAREGIVER FOR HIS/HER 

GRANDCHILDREN AND HOW LONG 

HE/SHE HAS CARED FOR HIS/

HER GRANDCHILDREN, ARE USED 

TO CREATE STATISTICS ABOUT 

GRANDPARENT CAREGIVERS. 
32 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Grandparent Caregivers Data

U.S. Department of Commerce, 

Bureau of the Census

13 USC § 141 note

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

13 USC § 141 note 
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 33

Health Insurance

Health insurance asked since 2008.

Health insurance data are used in planning government 

programs, determining eligibility criteria, and 

encouraging eligible people to participate in health 

insurance programs. 

HEALTH INSURANCE DATA HELP 

COMMUNITIES:

Provide Assistance to Children and 

Families

Knowing the health insurance coverage status in 

combination with other information, such as number 

and age of children in families, household income, 

and poverty status, can help communities enroll 

eligible families in programs designed to assist them. 

For example, health insurance coverage status and 

age data are used to target efforts to enroll eligible 

people in Marketplace, Medicaid, and the Children’s 

Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Health Insurance data 

are also used to ensure that Marketplace, Medicare, 

Medicaid, and CHIP programs are improving health 

outcomes for families.

Provide Health Care for Veterans

Knowing the number and characteristics of veterans 

eligible to use Department of Veterans Affairs health 

care, compared to those currently using services, can 

help communities and the federal government estimate 

the future demand for health care services and facilities 

for veterans.

Provide Health Care for American Indians

Knowing the health insurance coverage of American 

Indians can help communities, tribes, and the federal 

government estimate the demand for health care 

through the Indian Health Service.

Understand Changes

Knowing the health insurance coverage status of 

people in a community helps planners identify gaps in 

community services, plan programs that address those 

gaps, and qualify for funding for those programs. 

Knowing more about changes in health insurance 

coverage rates and the characteristics of people who 

have or do not have health insurance is also of interest 

to researchers, advocacy groups, and policymakers. 

For example, State Councils on Developmental 

Disabilities use health insurance coverage data in their 

comprehensive reviews and analyses of the unmet 

needs of people with developmental disabilities.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 

SOURCES OF A PERSON’S 

HEALTH INSURANCE ARE USED 

TO CREATE STATISTICS ABOUT 

THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE 

COVERED BY HEALTH INSURANCE 

AND THE SOURCES OF HEALTH 

INSURANCE. 
34 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Health Insurance Data

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

42 USC §§ 299a(a)(3), (6), (8), 299b-2(a)(1), and 299(c)(1)(B)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 

National Center for Health Statistics

42 USC § 242k(b), (h), and (l)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-

148, §10334; 42 USC 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Indian Health Service

Snyder Act, Nov. 2, 1921, c. 115, 25 USC § 13; Transfer 

Act, Aug. 5, 1954, c. 658, § 2, 42 USC § 2001(a); 42 CFR § 

136.12(a)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office for Civil Rights

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, § 504; Public Law 93-112; 

Americans With Disabilities Act, Titles II and III, as amended 

by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Public Law 110-325, 42 

USC, Chapter 126

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning 

and Evaluation

42 USC § 1397ii (b)(2)(A)–(C)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Public Law 106-117, 38 USC §§ 8134(a)(2)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 35

Home Heating Fuel

Home heating fuel asked since 1940.

These data are used in government programs that 

analyze community air quality and energy needs. 

Federal agencies use these statistics to forecast 

future energy demand, analyze the fuels available to 

community residents, and plan and fund programs that 

help low-income residents afford to heat their homes.

HOME HEATING FUEL DATA HELP 

COMMUNITIES:

Provide Assistance With Utilities

Knowing which fuel is used to heat homes in 

combination with the cost of those fuels and the 

characteristics of the low-income households that 

need assistance with their utilities, helps communities 

enroll eligible households in assistance programs like 

the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and 

qualify for grants to fund assistance. These data are 

also used to evaluate whether these programs benefit 

eligible households.

Estimate Future Energy Demand

Knowing the current users of certain heating systems 

and the kinds of systems used in new homes helps 

communities predict future demand for fuels and the 

future costs of systems in use in a community. For 

example, the Department of Energy uses these data to 

project demand over the next 30 years, assessing the 

energy needs of the U.S. economy in a domestic and 

international context.

Measure Environmental Impacts

Communities with older heating systems may have 

lower air quality at times when they are in high 

use. Home heating fuel data are used to develop an 

inventory of the national aggregate emissions of each 

greenhouse gas and to research and report on the 

relationships among different development patterns 

(including housing and travel information) and public 

health and pollution (Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act).

QUESTIONS ABOUT HOME 

HEATING FUEL ARE USED TO 

CREATE DATA ABOUT HOME 

ENERGY USE.
36 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Home Heating Fuel Data

U.S. Department of Energy Energy Policy Act of 1992, Public Law 102-486, Energy Policy 

Act of 1992, Public Law 102-486, 42 USC § 13385

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC § 8629(a) and (b)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC § 8623(a)(2) and (4), § 8629(a)(1)–(3) and (6), § 

8629(b)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC § 8623(a)(2) and (4) and § 8622(11) 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC § 8629(a)(1)–(3) and (6)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Air Pollution Control Act (Clean Air Act), Public Law 84-159, 

42 USC § 7403(a)(2), (b)(1), and (b)(6)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Air Pollution Control Act (Clean Air Act), Public Law 84-159, 

42 USC § 7403(a)(1), (b)(6), (b)(7), (e), and (g)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Public 

Law 92-500, 33 USC § 1254 (a)(2), (b)(6), and (s)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Public 

Law 92-500, 33 USC § 1254(a)(1)–(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), (b)(7), (n)

(1), and (o)(1)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 37

Home Value and Rent

Home value asked since 1940, rent asked since 1940.

These data are used in government programs that 

analyze whether adequate housing is affordable for 

residents and provide and fund housing assistance 

programs. These statistics are also used to enforce 

laws, regulations, and policies designed to eliminate 

discrimination in private-market housing, government 

programs, and in society.

HOME VALUE AND RENT DATA HELP 

COMMUNITIES:

Provide Adequate Housing

Knowing the different types of households in 

a community (single people, couples, families, 

roommates, etc.) helps communities understand 

whether available housing meets the needs of 

residents. Housing costs in combination with 

relationship and combined income of all people in a 

household helps communities understand whether 

housing is affordable.

When rental housing is not affordable, rent data are 

used to identify rental distribution of housing units (the 

standard cost of different types of housing in different 

areas of the country) and to determine Fair Market 

Rents, which the Department of Housing and Urban 

Development uses to determine the amount of tenant 

subsidies in housing assistance programs.

When housing is not sufficient or not affordable, 

housing cost data can help communities enroll eligible 

households in programs designed to assist them 

and can help communities qualify for grants from 

the Community Development Block Grant, HOME 

Investment Partnership Program, Emergency Solutions 

Grants, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, 

and other programs.

Plan Community Development

Knowing how the balance of rented homes, mortgaged 

homes, and owned homes changes over time can help 

communities understand changes in local housing 

markets and identify opportunities to improve tax, 

assistance, and zoning policies.

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Knowing more about people who rent and people who 

own homes in the community in combination with age, 

gender, race, Hispanic origin, disability, and other data, 

helps government and communities enforce laws, such 

as the 1968 Fair Housing Act designed to eliminate 

discrimination in housing. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MONTHLY 

RENT AMOUNT OR HOW MUCH 

THE HOME AND PROPERTY ARE 

WORTH ARE USED TO PRODUCE 

STATISTICS ABOUT RENT AND 

HOME VALUE.
38 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Home Value and Rent Data

U.S. Department of Agriculture 42 USC 1485, 1486, 1490a, 1490l, 1490m, 1490p-2, 

1490r; 7 CFR 1940.560–1940.567, 1940.575; 7 CFR 

3550.10, 3560.11, 3560.152(a)(2), 3560.254(c)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

Community Services Block Grant Act, Public Law 105-285, 

42 USC § 9902 (2), 9903, and 9908 (b)(1)(A), (b)(11), and 

(c)(1)(A)(i)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC §§ 9902 (2), 9908(b)(1)(A), and 9914 (a) and (c )

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

42 USC §§ 299a(a)(3),(6),(8), 299b-2(a)(1), and 299(c)(1)(B)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Social Security Act, Public Law 74-271, § 1848e(1)(A), 42 

USC § 1395w-4(e)(1)(A)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public 

Law 101–625, 42 USC 12705(b)(1)–(3); 24 CFR Part 91, 24 

CFR 91.205(a)–(c)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 USC 11371–

11376; 24 CFR Part 91

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Native American Housing Assistance and SelfDetermination Act of 1996, Public Law 104-330, as 

amended, 25 USC § 4152(b); 24 CFR 1000.324–1000.330

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development United States Housing Act of 1937, Public Law 93-383, as 

amended; 42 USC § 1437f(c)(1); 24 CFR 888.113, 24 CFR 

982.401

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, Public Law 

110-289, Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and 

Soundness Act of 1992, § 1338, 12 USC § 4568

U.S. Department of Transportation 49 USC §§ 6302(b)(3)(B), 6303(c ), 6304(a), and 6309 (a)

U.S. Department of Transportation Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Public Law 

114-94; 49 USC § 5303(c), (e), (h), (i), (j),(k), and (n)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), 

Public Law 92-500, 33 USC § 1254(a)(1)-(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), 

(b)(7), (n)(1), and (o)(1)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 39

Income

Income asked since 1940.

Income data are used in planning and funding 

government programs that provide economic 

assistance for populations in need and measure the 

economic well-being of the nation. Income and poverty 

estimates are often part of allocation formulas that 

determine how food, health care, job training, housing, 

and other assistance are distributed.

INCOME DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Provide Adequate Housing

Knowing the combined income of all people in a 

household in combination with housing costs helps 

communities understand whether housing is affordable 

for residents. When housing is not sufficient or not 

affordable, income data can help communities enroll 

eligible households in programs designed to assist 

them and can help communities qualify for grants 

from the Community Development Block Grant, HOME 

Investment Partnership Program, Emergency Solutions 

Grant, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, 

and other programs.

Provide Assistance to Older Americans

Knowing how many older people in a community 

are living in poverty in combination with other 

information, such as age and disability status of other 

family members, can help communities ensure these 

residents receive appropriate assistance, such as 

financial assistance with utilities (Low Income Home 

Energy Assistance Program).

Provide Assistance to Children and Families

Knowing household income in combination with other 

information, such as the number and age of children 

in families, health insurance status, and poverty 

status, can help communities enroll eligible families 

in programs designed to assist them. For example, 

income data are used to identify eligibility and provide 

funding in programs like Medicaid, the Child and Adult 

Care Food Program, and Head Start.

Educate Children and Adults

Knowing how many children and adults depend 

on services through schools helps school districts 

make long-term building, staffing, and funding 

decisions. Household income and family composition 

determine poverty status, which is used along with 

school enrollment, information on disability status, 

and language spoken at home, to help schools 

understand the needs of their students and qualify 

for grants that help fund programs for students with 

needs for additional services or assistance, including 

free/reduced price school lunches (Elementary and 

Secondary Education Act of 1965).

Plan Community Development

Knowing more about the financial situation of 

residents, including income, employment, and housing 

costs, can help communities qualify for loan and grant 

programs designed to stimulate economic recovery, 

improve housing, run job-training programs, and define 

areas as empowerment or enterprise zones. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FUNDS A 

PERSON RECEIVES FROM VARIOUS 

SOURCES ARE USED TO CREATE 

STATISTICS ABOUT INCOME, 

ASSISTANCE, EARNINGS, AND 

POVERTY STATUS. 
40 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Income Data

U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 

Policy Act, Public Law 95-113, Title XIV; Act of May 8, 

1914, ch. 79, 7 USC § 3175; 7 USC § 343(d)

U.S. Department of Agriculture Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, 42 USC § 

1759a(g)

U.S. Department of Agriculture 7 USC § 2020(e)(1); 7 CFR 272.4(b)(6)

U.S. Department of Agriculture 42 USC § 1766(f)(3)(A)(ii)(I)(aa) and 1766(f)(3)(E)(i); 7 CFR 

226.15(f)

U.S. Department of Education 20 USC § 6333, 6334(a)(1), 6335(a), 6337(b)(1)(A)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Community Living

42 USC 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 

111-148, §10334; 42 USC 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Public Health Service Act, § 301, 42 USC 241; Public 

Health Service Act, § 3101, 42 USC 300kk

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 USC 11371–

11376; 24 CFR Part 91

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Native American Housing Assistance and SelfDetermination Act of 1996, Public Law 104-330, as 

amended, 25 USC § 4152(b); 24 CFR 1000.324–1000.330

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, 42 

USC 5306(a)(1); 24 CFR §1003.101 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public 

Law 93–383, as amended, 42 USC § 1439 (d)(1)(A)(i); 24 

CFR 791.402

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 as 

amended; Public Law 93-383, as amended, 42 USC 5301, 

5302, and 5305; 24 CFR 91.205(a)–(c ), 91.305(a)–(c), 

570.208(a)(1), 570.483(b)(1), 570.704(a)–(c), 570.707(a)–

(c), 570.901

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Tax Reform Act of 1986, Public Law 99-514, 26 USC § 

42(d)(5)(B)(ii)(I), (iii)(I), (iv), and(g); 15 U.S.C § 631

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public 

Law 101–625, 42 USC 12705(b)(1)–(3); 24 CFR Part 91, 24 

CFR 91.205(a)–(c)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 41

Industry, Occupation, and Class of Worker

Industry asked since 1820,1 occupation asked since 1850, class of worker asked since 1910.

These data are used to provide information about 

the labor force in government programs, to evaluate 

government programs and policies to ensure they 

fairly and equitably serve the needs of all groups, 

and to enforce laws, regulations, and policies against 

discrimination in society.

INDUSTRY, OCCUPATION, AND CLASS 

OF WORKER DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Provide Employment Opportunities

Knowing whether programs designed to employ 

specific groups, such as people with disabilities or 

veterans, are succeeding is important to employers, 

federal agencies, and federal government contractors 

(Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act, 

Rehabilitation Act of 1973). Industry, occupation, and 

class of worker data provide additional detail about 

the jobs and careers pursued by people participating 

in these programs.1

State and local agencies use these statistics to identify 

labor surplus areas (areas with people available for 

hiring and training), plan workforce development 

programs including job fairs and training programs, 

and promote business opportunities. 

1 Industry asked in 1820, 1840, and 1910 until present.

Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity

Knowing more about people who are employed or 

looking for work in combination with educational 

attainment, age, gender, race, Hispanic origin, 

disability status, veteran status, and other data, helps 

governments and communities enforce civil rights 

laws against employment discrimination. For example, 

these data are used to enforce nondiscrimination in 

employment by federal agencies, private employers, 

employment agencies, and labor organizations (Civil 

Rights Act of 1964). 

Understand Changes

Knowing the characteristics of growing or declining 

industries and occupations is an important part of 

estimating changes in the economy. Labor force 

estimates are used in funding decisions; to ensure 

surveys are accurate, including surveys that provide 

official labor market estimates; and to understand 

change in other data (Wagner-Peyser Act and Workforce 

Investment Act).

Class of worker data, in particular, are used by 

the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to 

understand changes in farm workers and agriculture.

QUESTIONS ABOUT A PERSON’S 

EMPLOYER, THE KIND OF 

BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY OF 

THAT EMPLOYER, THE KIND 

OF WORK A PERSON DOES, 

AND THAT PERSON’S MOST 

IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES ARE 

USED TO PRODUCE INDUSTRY, 

OCCUPATION, AND CLASS OF 

WORKER STATISTICS. 
42 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Industry, Occupation, and Class of Worker Data

U.S. Department of Agriculture Smith- Lever Act of 1914, 7 USC § 343(c)

U.S. Department of Agriculture 7 USC 3222b, NIFA Funding Opportunity Announcement 

(RFA)

U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 

Policy Act, Public Law 95-113, Title XIV, 7 USC § 3222

U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 

Policy Act, Public Law 95-113, Title XIV, 7 USC § 3221

U.S. Department of Agriculture Act of Mar. 2, 1887, ch. 314, 7 USC § 361c

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and 

Evaluation

42 USC § 1397ii (b)(2)(A)–(C)

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,Public Law 88-352, 42 

USC § 2000e-2

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 

42 USC § 2000e-2

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 

42 USC § 2000e-2; Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio, 490 

U.S. 642 (1989)

U.S. Department of Transportation 49 USC § 5303; 49 CFR Part 613

U.S. Department of Transportation 49 USC §§6303(c ) and 6304(a);

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 

110-389, Title III—Labor and Education Matters, Subtitle C—

Vocational Rehabilitation Matters, § 334—Longitudinal study 

of Department of Veterans Affairs vocational rehabilitation 

programs, 38 USC § 3122

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of Federal Operations

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Public Law 93-112; 29 USC § 

791 (b); 29 CFR 1614.602

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of General Counsel

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Public Law 

90-202,29 USC § 623(a)–(d) and 633a; 29 CFR 1625.7(d); 

Hazelwood School Dist. v. United States, 433 U.S. 299 (1977)

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of General Counsel

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 42 USC § 2000e2(k)(1)(A)

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of Research, Information, and Planning

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352; 42 USC § 2000e2(k)(1)(A); Hazelwood School Dist. v. United States, 433 U.S. 

299 (1977)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 43

Labor Force Status

Labor force status asked since 1890.

Labor force data are used in planning and funding 

government programs that provide unemployment 

assistance and services. These data are also used to 

evaluate other government programs and policies to 

ensure they fairly and equitably serve the needs of all 

groups, and to enforce laws, regulations, and policies 

against discrimination in society.

LABOR FORCE DATA HELP 

COMMUNITIES:

Provide Employment Opportunities

Knowing whether programs designed to employ 

specific groups, such as people with disabilities or 

veterans, are succeeding is important to employers, 

federal agencies, and federal government contractors 

(Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act, 

Rehabilitation Act of 1973).

State and local agencies use these statistics to identify 

labor surplus areas (areas with people available for 

hiring and training), plan workforce development 

programs, including job fairs and training programs, 

and to promote business opportunities. 

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Knowing more about people who are employed or 

looking for work in combination with age, gender, 

race, Hispanic origin, disability status, veteran status, 

and other data, helps governments and communities 

enforce laws, regulations, and policies against 

discrimination in employment. For example, labor 

force data are used to enforce nondiscrimination in 

employment by federal agencies, private employers, 

employment agencies, and labor organizations (Civil 

Rights Act of 1964). 

Understand Changes

Knowing the characteristics of people who are working 

or looking for work is an important part of estimating 

changes in the economy. Labor force estimates are used 

in funding decisions; to ensure surveys are accurate, 

including surveys that provide official labor market 

estimates; and to understand change in other data 

(Wagner-Peyser Act and Workforce Investment Act).

QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER 

A PERSON WORKED LAST WEEK 

AND, IF THE ANSWER IS NO, WHY 

HE/SHE WAS NOT WORKING, 

WHETHER HE/SHE PLANS TO 

RETURN TO WORK, AND HOW 

MUCH THEY WORKED IN THE 

PAST YEAR ARE USED TO 

PRODUCE STATISTICS ABOUT 

THE LABOR FORCE, INCLUDING 

UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS.
44 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Labor Force Status Data

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Community Living

Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 

2000, Public Law 106-402, Section 124(c)(3); 42 USC §15024

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and 

Evaluation

42 USC § 1397ii (b)(2)(A)–(C) 

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 42 

USC § 2000e-2; Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio, 490 U.S. 

642 (1989)

U.S. Department of Labor 29 USC §§ 49f(a)(3)(D), 49g(d), and 49l-2(a)

U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Public Law 105-220; 20 

CFR 668.296(b) and 668.440

U.S. Department of Transportation 49 USC § 5303; 49 CFR Part 613

U.S. Department of Transportation Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, Public 

Law 112-141 (2012), 49 USC § 5304 (a); 49 CFR Part 613, 

Subpart B

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 38 USC § 546

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 

110-389, Title III—Labor and Education Matters, Subtitle C—

Vocational Rehabilitation Matters, Section 334—Longitudinal 

study of Department of Veterans Affairs vocational 

rehabilitation programs, 38 USC § 3122

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of Federal Operations

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Public Law 93-112, 29 USC § 

791 (b); 29 CFR 1614.602

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of General Counsel

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Public Law 

90-202, 29 USC § 623(a)–(d) and 633a; 29 CFR 1625.7(d); 

Hazelwood School Dist. v. United States, 433 U.S. 299 (1977)

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of General Counsel

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 42 USC § 2000e2(k)(1)(A)

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of Research, Information, and Planning

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 42 USC § 2000e2(k)(1)(A); Hazelwood School Dist. v. United States, 433 U.S. 

299 (1977) 
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 45

Language Spoken at Home

Language spoken at home asked since 1890.1

Language data are used in planning government 

programs for adults and children who do not speak 

English well. These data are also used to ensure that 

information about public health, law, regulations, 

voting, and safety is communicated in languages that 

community members understand.1

LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME DATA 

HELP COMMUNITIES:

Educate Children

Knowing how many children and youth with limited 

English-speaking abilities depend on services through 

schools helps school districts make long-term 

staffing and funding decisions. Language spoken 

at home in combination with other information, 

such as disability status, school enrollment, and 

poverty status, helps schools understand the needs 

of their students and qualify for grants that help 

fund programs for those students (Elementary and 

Secondary Education Act of 1965). 

1 Language spoken at home was not asked in 1950.

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Knowing the languages spoken by people in the 

community in combination with information about 

housing, voting, employment, and education, helps 

the government and communities enforce laws, 

regulations, and policies against discrimination based 

on national origin. For example, language data are 

used to support the enforcement responsibilities under 

the Voting Rights Act to investigate differences in voter 

participation rates and to enforce laws and policies 

related to bilingual requirements.

Knowing languages spoken in a community also helps 

federal agencies identify needs for services for people 

with limited English proficiency under Executive 

Order 13166. 

Understand Changes

Knowing whether people who speak languages other 

than English have the same opportunities in education, 

employment, voting, home ownership, and many other 

areas is of interest to researchers, advocacy groups, 

and policymakers. For example, language data are 

used with age and ancestry data to address language 

and cultural diversity needs in health care plans for the 

older population.

QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER 

A PERSON SPEAKS A LANGUAGE 

OTHER THAN ENGLISH AT HOME, 

WHAT LANGUAGE HE/SHE SPEAKS, 

AND HOW WELL HE/SHE SPEAKS 

ENGLISH ARE USED TO CREATE 

STATISTICS ABOUT LANGUAGE 

AND ABOUT ABILITY TO SPEAK 

ENGLISH.
46 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Language Spoken at Home Data

U.S. Department of Agriculture 7 USC § 2020(e)(1); 7 CFR 272.4(b)(6)

U.S. Department of Commerce, 

Bureau of the Census

52 USC § 10503

U.S. Department of Education 20 USC §§ 6821 and 6824, 7011(6), and 7801(25)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC § 9835(g)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Community Living

42 USC § 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Community Living

Older Americans Act of 1965, Public Law 89-73, as 

amended, 42 USC §§ 3013, 3024. 3030s-1, 3032

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-

148, § 10334; 42 USC § 300kk

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 

National Center for Health Statistics

42 USC § 242k (l)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and 

Evaluation

42 USC § 1397ii (b)(2)(A)–(C) 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 42 USC § 

11371–11376; 42 USC § 12901; 24 CFR Part 91; 24 CFR 

Part 576;

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public 

Law 101–625, 42 USC § 12705(b)(1)–(3); 24 CFR Part 91, 

24 CFR 91.205(a)–(c)

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Voting Rights Act of 1965, § 203, 52 USC § 10503; 28 CFR 

Part 55

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

The Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI, 42 USC § 

2000d–2000d-7; 28 CFR 42.101–42.112; 28 CFR 42.401–

42.415; 28 CFR 50.3; Lau v. Nichols, 414 U.S. 563 (1974)

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, 20 USC § 

1701 et seq.; Castaneda v. Pickard, 648 F. 2d 989 (1981)

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division Voting Rights Act of 1965,52 USC § 10301; 28 CFR Part 

51; LULAC v. Perry, 548 U.S. 399 (2006); Johnson v. 

DeGrandy, 512 U.S. 997 (1994); Thornburg v. Gingles, 478 

U.S. 30 (1986)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 47

Marital Status and Marital History

Marital status asked since 1880, marital history asked since 1850.

Marital status and marital history data help federal 

agencies understand marriage trends, forecast future 

needs of programs that have spousal benefits, and 

measure the effects of policies and programs that focus 

on the well-being of families, including tax policies and 

financial assistance programs.

MARITAL STATUS AND MARITAL 

HISTORY DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Provide Benefits to Spouses and Survivors

Knowing more about how many spouses and ex-spouses 

may qualify for programs with spousal benefits, 

including veteran and social security programs, can help 

federal agencies ensure adequate funding and facilities 

for these programs and can help communities determine 

where gaps in benefits and services might exist. 

Provide Assistance to Families

Knowing more about families, particularly blended 

and single-parent families, along with data about the 

presence of children, labor force status, and poverty 

status, can help communities enroll eligible families 

in programs designed to assist them, such as the 

Children’s Health Insurance Program, and can help 

communities qualify for grants to fund these programs. 

These data are also used to evaluate programs like 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Understand Changing Households

Knowing more about community marriage trends 

(whether people are marrying later in life, not 

getting married, or marrying again) in combination 

with information about age, presence of children, 

income, etc., can help communities understand if the 

available housing, job training, rental assistance, and 

administrative services and programs are meeting 

residents’ needs during their major life changes. These 

data also help the federal government plan for the 

future. For example, the Social Security Administration 

estimates future program needs based on the current 

relationships of working people.

QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER 

A PERSON IS CURRENTLY 

MARRIED, WIDOWED, DIVORCED, 

SEPARATED, OR NEVER MARRIED; 

WHETHER HIS/HER MARITAL 

STATUS CHANGED IN THE PAST 

12 MONTHS; AND LIFETIME 

MARRIAGES ARE USED TO CREATE 

STATISTICS ABOUT CURRENT 

MARITAL STATUS AND MARITAL 

HISTORY. 
48 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Marital Status and Marital History Data

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

13 USC § 141 note

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

42 USC §§ 299a(a)(3), (6), (8), 299b-2(a)(1), and 299(c )(1)(A)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 

National Center for Health Statistics

42 USC § 242k(b), (h), and (l)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning 

and Evaluation

42 USC § 1397ii (b)(2)(A)–(C)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 38 USC § 546 

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 38 USC § 8104(b)(2)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 

110-389, Title III—Labor and Education Matters, Subtitle C—

Vocational Rehabilitation Matters, Section 334—Longitudinal 

study of Department of Veterans Affairs vocational 

rehabilitation programs 38 USC § 3122

U.S. Social Security Administration Social Security Act, Public Law 74–271 as amended, 42 USC § 

401(c)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 49

Migration (Previous Residence)/Residence 1 Year Ago

Residence 1 year ago asked since 1930.

Migration (residence 1 year ago) data are used 

in planning government programs and adjusting 

other important geographic data as people move. 

The characteristics of people who have moved are 

also an important part of estimating population 

changes. These population estimates are used in 

funding decisions, to ensure surveys are accurate, 

to understand change in other data, and to produce 

official international migration estimates.

MIGRATION/RESIDENCE 1 YEAR AGO 

DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Understand Changes

Knowing the characteristics of people who have 

moved and the patterns of migration (where people 

move to and from) is an important part of estimating 

population changes. Population estimates are used 

in funding decisions, to ensure surveys are accurate, 

to understand change in other data, and to produce 

international migration estimates. These data also help 

agencies assess residential stability and the effects of 

migration on urban and rural areas.

Knowing where certain populations move to and from 

helps federal agencies assess the needs of counties 

with large refugee populations and the effects of 

immigration on local areas.

Knowing the characteristics of people who live or have 

lived in certain areas is important to understand the 

relationships among different development patterns, 

including housing and travel information, public health, 

and pollution. These data may also assist state and 

local agencies in developing programs that attract new 

residents or employers.

QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER 

A PERSON MOVED IN THE LAST 

YEAR AND WHERE HE OR SHE 

LIVED 1 YEAR AGO ARE USED 

TO CREATE STATISTICS ABOUT 

WHERE PEOPLE ARE MOVING (TO/

FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND 

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES).
50 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Migration/Residence 1 Year Ago Data

U.S. Department of Commerce, 

Bureau of the Census

13 USC § 181

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

Community Services Block Grant Act, Public Law 105-285, 42 

USC §§ 9902 (2), 9903, and 9908 (b)(1)(A), (b)(11), and (c)(1)

(A)(i),

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Indian Health Service

Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, 25 USC § 13; 42 USC § 

2001(a); 42 CFR 136.12(a)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Public 

Law 92-500, 33 USC § 1254(a)(1)–(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), (b)(7), (n)

(1), and (o)(1)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 51

Place of Birth, Citizenship, and Year of Entry

Place of birth asked since 1850, citizenship asked since 1820,1 year of entry asked since 1890.2

These statistics are essential for agencies and 

policymakers setting and evaluating immigration 

policies and laws, seeking to understand the 

experience of different immigrant groups, and 

enforcing laws, policies, and regulations against 

discrimination based on national origin. These statistics 

are also used to tailor services to accommodate cultural 

differences.1, 2

PLACE OF BIRTH, CITIZENSHIP, 

AND YEAR OF ENTRY DATA HELP 

COMMUNITIES:

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Knowing how many people in the community are born 

in other countries in combination with information 

about housing, voting, language, employment, and 

education, helps the government and communities 

to enforce laws, regulations, and policies against 

discrimination based on national origin. For example, 

these data are used to support the enforcement 

responsibilities under the Voting Rights Act to 

investigate differences in voter participation rates and 

to enforce other laws and policies regarding bilingual 

requirements.

1 Citizenship asked 1820–1830, 1870, and 1890 to present.

2 Year of entry asked 1890–1930, and 1970 to present.

Educate Children

Knowing how many foreign-born children depend 

on services through schools helps school districts 

make staffing and funding decisions. Place of birth, 

citizenship, and year of entry statistics in combination 

with other information, such as language spoken 

at home, help schools understand the needs of 

their students and qualify for grants that help 

fund programs for those students (Elementary and 

Secondary Education Act of 1965). 

Understand Changes

Knowing whether people of different races or countries 

of birth have the same opportunities in education, 

employment, voting, home ownership, and many other 

areas is of interest to researchers, advocacy groups, and 

policymakers. These data may also help communities 

with large refugee populations that qualify for financial 

assistance (Immigration Nationality Act).

QUESTIONS ABOUT A PERSON’S 

PLACE OF BIRTH, CITIZENSHIP, 

AND YEAR OF ENTRY INTO THE 

UNITED STATES ARE USED TO 

CREATE DATA ABOUT CITIZENS, 

NONCITIZENS, AND THE FOREIGNBORN POPULATION.
52 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Place of Birth, Citizenship, and Year of Entry Data

U.S. Department of Commerce, 

Bureau of the Census

52 USC § 10503

U.S. Department of Commerce, 

Bureau of the Census

13 USC § 141(c)

U.S. Department of Education 20 USC §§ 6821, 6824, 7011(5), and 7801(20)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

Community Services Block Grant Act, Public Law 105-285, 42 

USC §§ 9902 (2), 9903, and 9908(b)(1)(A), (b)(11), and (c)(1)

(A)(i)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 

National Center for Health Statistics

42 USC § 242k(b), (h), and (l)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office for Civil Rights

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI; Patient Protection and 

Affordable Care Act, Section 1557

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning 

and Evaluation

42 USC § 1397ii (b)(2)(A)(C) 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 

Development

Fair Housing Act, Public Law 90–284, 42 USC 3600–3620; 42 

USC 3608(e)

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Voting Rights Act of 1965, § 203; 52 USC § 10503; 28 CFR 

Part 55

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII, Public Law 88-352, 42 USC 

§ 2000e-2

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII, Public Law 88-352, 42 USC 

§ 2000e-2 ; Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio, 490 U.S. 642 

(1989)

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of Federal Operations

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Public Law 93-112, 29 USC § 

791 (b); 29 CFR 1614.602

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of General Counsel

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 42 USC § 2000e2(k)(1)(A)

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of Research, Information, and Planning

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352,42 USC § 2000e2(k)(1)(A); Hazelwood School Dist. v. United States, 433 U.S. 

299 (1977)

U.S. Social Security Administration Social Security Act, Public Law 74–271, as amended, 42 USC § 

401(c)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 53

Plumbing Facilities, Kitchen Facilities, and Telephone Service

Plumbing facilities asked since 1940, kitchen facilities asked since 1940, telephone service asked since 1960.

These data are used in planning and funding 

government programs that identify areas eligible for 

housing assistance, rehabilitation loans, and other 

programs that help people access and afford decent, 

safe, and sanitary housing. Public health officials may 

also use this information to locate areas in danger of 

ground-water contamination and waterborne diseases.

PLUMBING FACILITIES, KITCHEN 

FACILITIES, AND TELEPHONE SERVICE 

DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Provide Adequate Housing

Knowing more about the quality of housing in a 

community helps communities understand whether 

available housing meets the needs of residents. When 

housing is not sufficient or not affordable, data on 

household facilities can help communities enroll 

eligible households in programs designed to assist 

them, and can help communities qualify for grants 

from the Community Development Block Grant, HOME 

Investment Partnership Program, Emergency Solutions 

Grant, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, 

and other programs.

Plan Community Development

Knowing how the quality of different types of homes in 

combination with whether they are occupied or vacant, 

can help communities identify opportunities to improve 

tax, assistance, and zoning policies and to reduce tax 

revenue losses from vacant or abandoned properties. 

These data may also be useful in identifying types 

of homes in disaster-prone areas during emergency 

planning and preparation.

Ensure Residents Can Communicate 

Measuring the extent of telephone service, including 

access for schools, libraries, health care providers, and 

low-income residents, helps communities ensure their 

residents have universal access to assistance programs, 

emergency services, and important information.

Measure Environmental Impacts

Substandard plumbing systems may impact the local 

water supply. Understanding where these systems 

are concentrated helps communities research their 

wastewater infrastructure needs and work to improve 

their systems.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PRESENCE 

OF HOT AND COLD RUNNING 

WATER, A BATHTUB OR SHOWER, 

A SINK WITH A FAUCET, A STOVE 

OR RANGE, A REFRIGERATOR, 

AND TELEPHONE SERVICE ARE 

USED TO CREATE DATA ABOUT 

INDICATORS OF HOUSING 

QUALITY.
54 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Plumbing Facilities, Kitchen Facilities, and Telephone Service Data

U.S. Department of Agriculture 42 USC §§ 1472, 1474, 1485, 1486, 1490, 1490a, 1490c, 

1490d, 1490e, and 1490l,; 7 CFR 1940.560–1940.567, 

1940.575; 7 CFR 3550.10, 1980.312, 3560.11; 7 CFR 

3550.53(a), 3550.67(b), 3550.68(c); 7 CFR 1980.301(d); 7 

CFR 3560.152(a)(2), 3560.254(c) RD Instruction 1980-D, 

Exhibit C

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Native American Housing Assistance and SelfDetermination Act of 1996, Public Law 104-330, as 

amended, 25 USC § 4152(b); 24 CFR 1000.324–1000.330 

(Also Appendices A and B)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development United States Housing Act of 1937, Public Law 93-383, as 

amended, 42 USC § 1437f(c)(1); 24 CFR 888.113; 24 CFR 

982.401 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public 

Law 101–625 42 USC 12705(b)(1)–(3); 24 CFR Part 91; 24 

CFR 91.205(a)–(c)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Tax Reform Act of 1986, Public Law 99-514, 26 USC § 42(d)

(5)(B)(ii)(I), (iii)(I), (iv), and (g); 15 U.S.C § 631

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness 

Act of 1992, § 1338, 12 USC § 4568

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public 

Law 101-625, 42 USC § 12747(b)(1)(A) and (B); 24 CFR 

92.50(a), (b), and (c)

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Voting Rights Act of 1965, 52 USC § 10301; 28 CFR 

Part 51; LULAC v. Perry, 548 U.S. 399 (2006); Johnson v. 

DeGrandy, 512 U.S. 997 (1994); Thornburg v. Gingles, 478 

U.S. 30 (1986)

U.S. Department of Transportation Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Public Law 

114-94; 49 USC § 5304; 49 CFR Part 613, Subpart B

U.S. Federal Communications Commission Telecommunications Act of 1996, Public Law 104-104, 47 

USC §151 and 254; 47 CFR 54.702(i)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 55

School Enrollment, Educational Attainment, and Undergraduate

Field of Degree

School enrollment asked since 1850, educational attainment asked since 1940, undergraduate field of degree 

asked since 2009.

These statistics are used to analyze the characteristics 

and needs of school-aged children and to understand 

the continuing education needs of adults.

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT, EDUCATIONAL 

ATTAINMENT, AND UNDERGRADUATE 

FIELD OF DEGREE DATA HELP 

COMMUNITIES:

Educate Children and Adults

Knowing how many children and adults depend on 

services through schools helps school districts make 

long-term building, staffing, and funding decisions. 

School enrollment in combination with other 

information, such as disability status, language spoken 

at home, and poverty status, helps schools understand 

the needs of their students and qualify for grants that 

help fund programs for those students (Elementary and 

Secondary Education Act of 1965). 

Knowing how many adults do not have a high school 

diploma or equivalent helps schools understand the 

needs of adult students and qualify for grants that 

help fund programs for these students (Workforce 

Investment Act).

Knowing the major fields of study of adults with 

bachelor’s degrees enables efforts to develop the 

nation’s science, technology, engineering, and 

mathematics labor force (America COMPETES 

Reauthorization Act of 2010). 

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Understanding more about the characteristics of people 

enrolled or not enrolled in school helps government 

and communities enforce laws, regulations, and policies 

against discrimination in education (Civil Rights Act).

Knowing the educational attainment of workers 

compared to those seeking employment in combination 

with age, gender, race, Hispanic origin, disability, 

and other data, helps enforce nondiscrimination in 

employment by federal agencies, private employers, 

employment agencies, and labor organizations (Civil 

Rights Act of 1964). This information is also used in 

targeting voting rights enforcement (Voting Rights Act).

QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER A 

PERSON IS ATTENDING SCHOOL 

OR COLLEGE, THE HIGHEST 

LEVEL OF EDUCATION HE/SHE 

HAS COMPLETED, AND THE 

FIELD OF ANY COMPLETED 

UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE 

DEGREES ARE USED TO CREATE 

DATA ABOUT EDUCATION.
56 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of School Enrollment, Educational Attainment, and Undergraduate 

Field of Degree Data

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC § 9835(g)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Community Living

Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 

2000, Public Law 106-402, Section 124(c)(5); 42 USC § 15024

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

42 USC § 299a(a)(3),(6),(8); 42 USC § 299b-2(a)(1); 42 USC § 

299(c )(1)(A)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 

National Center for Health Statistics

42 USC § 242k(b), (h), and (l)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning 

and Evaluation

42 USC § 1397ii (b)(2)(A)–(C) 

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, 20 USC § 1701 

et seq.; Castaneda v. Pickard, 648 F.2d 989 (1981)

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Rights to Public Education and Equal 

Educational Entitlement), 42 USC § 2000c et seq.

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Voting Rights Act of 1965, § 203; 52 USC § 10503; 28 CFR 

Part 55

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Voting Rights Act of 1965, 52 USC § 10301; 28 CFR Part 51; 

LULAC v. Perry, 548 U.S. 399 (2006); Johnson v. DeGrandy, 512 

U.S. 997 (1994); Thornburg v. Gingles, 478 U.S. 30 (1986)

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 42 

USC § 2000e-2; Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio, 490 U.S. 

642 (1989)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 38 USC § 546

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 

110-389, Title III–Labor and Education Matters, Subtitle C–

Vocational Rehabilitation Matters, Section 334–Longitudinal 

study of Department of Veterans Affairs vocational 

rehabilitation programs, 38 USC § 3122

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 38 USC § 8104(b) (2)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Public Law 

92-500, 33 USC § 1254(a)(1)–(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), (b)(7), (n)(1), and 

(o)(1)

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of General Counsel

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 42 USC § 2000e2(k)(1)(A)

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of Research, Information, and Planning

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 42 USC § 2000e2(k)(1)(A); Hazelwood School Dist. v. United States, 433 U.S. 

299 (1977)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 57

Selected Monthly Owner Costs (Cost of Utilities, Condominium 

and Mobile Home Fees, Taxes, Insurance, and Mortgages)

Cost of utilities asked since 1940, condominium and mobile homes fees asked since 1990, taxes asked since 

1940,1 insurance cost asked since 1980, mortgages cost asked since 1940.

These data are used in government programs that 

analyze whether adequate housing is affordable for 

residents and to provide and fund housing assistance 

programs. These statistics are also used to enforce 

laws, regulations, and policies against discrimination in 

government programs and in society.1

SELECTED MONTHLY OWNER COSTS 

DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Provide Adequate Housing

Comparing housing costs to household income (the 

combined income of everyone in the household) helps 

communities understand whether housing is affordable 

for residents.

When housing is not sufficient or not affordable, 

housing cost data can help communities enroll 

eligible households in programs designed to assist 

them, and can help communities qualify for grants 

from the Community Development Block Grant, 

HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Emergency 

Solutions Grants, Housing Opportunities for Persons 

With AIDS, and other programs.

1 Cost of utilities asked since 1940, condominium and mobile 

homes fees asked since 1990, taxes asked in 1940 and since 1980, 

insurance cost asked since 1980, mortgages cost asked since 1940.

Plan Community Development

Knowing how housing costs change over time can 

help communities understand changes in local housing 

markets and to identify opportunities to improve tax, 

assistance, and zoning policies.

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Knowing more about the housing costs of people 

who own homes in the community in combination 

with age, gender, race, Hispanic origin, disability, 

and other data about the household residents, helps 

government and communities enforce laws, such 

as the 1968 Fair Housing Act designed to eliminate 

discrimination in housing.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE USE AND 

COST OF COMMON UTILITIES, 

ANY APPLICABLE CONDOMINIUM 

AND MOBILE HOME FEES, TAXES, 

UTILITIES, MORTGAGES, AND 

HOME LOANS ARE USED TO 

PRODUCE STATISTICS ABOUT 

SELECTED MONTHLY OWNER 

COSTS.
58 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Selected Monthly Owner Costs Data

U.S. Department of Commerce, 

Bureau of Economic Analysis

15 USC § 1516; Department Organization Order 35-1A

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 USC § 

11371–11376, 42 USC § 12901; 24 CFR Part 91; 24 CFR 

Part 576; 24 CFR Part 574

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination 

Act of 1996, Public Law 104-330, as amended, 25 USC § 

4152(b); 24 CFR 1000.324–1000.330 (Also appendices A 

and B)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public 

Law 101–625, 42 USC § 12705(b)(1)–(3); 24 CFR Part 91; 

24 CFR 91.205(a)–(c)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), 

Public Law 92-500, 33 USC § 1254(a)(1)–(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), 

(b)(7), (n)(1), and (o)(1)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 59

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps

SNAP/food stamps asked since 2005.

SNAP data are used in planning and funding 

government programs that provide food assistance and 

in evaluating other government programs.1

SNAP DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Provide Food Assistance to School Children

Knowing more about food assistance program 

participation in combination with school enrollment, 

income, and poverty status, can help communities 

streamline administration of the National School Lunch 

Program and School Breakfast Program by replacing 

administrative paperwork with American Community 

Survey estimates of students eligible for free and 

reduced-price meals.

1 In 2008, the food stamp program was renamed SNAP, but the 

question uses both program names to minimize confusion.

Evaluate SNAP

Knowing more about food-assistance program 

participation is used to evaluate the SNAP program 

and award bonuses to communities that administer 

SNAP funds well.

Understand Changes

State and local agencies use these statistics to assess 

state food assistance needs and participation rates 

for eligible families and individuals and to determine 

gaps in services and programs. Faith-based and other 

nonprofit organizations use information about food 

assistance needs to determine where food banks, food 

kitchens, and other programs could be beneficial and 

how the needs of their communities can be met with 

additional resources and services.

QUESTIONS ABOUT A 

HOUSEHOLD’S RECEIPT OF 

FOOD STAMPS/SUPPLEMENTAL 

NUTRITION ASSISTANCE 

PROGRAM (SNAP)1 ARE USED 

TO CREATE STATISTICS ABOUT 

PARTICIPATION IN FOOD 

ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
60 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of SNAP Data

U.S. Department of Agriculture Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, 42 USC § 

1759a(g)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

Community Services Block Grant Act, Public Law 105-285, 42 

USC § 9902 (2), 9903, and 9908 (b)(1)(A), (b)(11), and (c)(1)(A)

(i)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC § 9835(g)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC §§ 8629 (a)(1)–(3) and (5)–(6), 8629 (b), and 8622 (11)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

13 USC § 141 note 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC § 603(a)(4)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Public 

Law 92-500, 33 USC § 1254(a)(1)–(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), (b)(7), (n)

(1), and (o)(1)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 61

Units in Structure, Rooms, and Bedrooms

Units in structure asked since 1940, rooms asked since 1940, bedrooms asked since 1960.

These data are used in government programs that 

analyze whether adequate housing is available 

and affordable for residents and provide and fund 

housing assistance programs. The number of rooms 

in combination with the number of people living in a 

unit provides a ratio of people to rooms, which can be 

used to measure the extent of overcrowding among 

our nation’s households. These statistics are also used 

to enforce laws, policies, and regulations against 

discrimination in government programs and in society.

UNITS IN STRUCTURE, ROOMS, AND 

BEDROOMS DATA HELP COMMUNITIES:

Provide Adequate Housing

Knowing the different types of housing, and how 

many people occupy that housing, helps communities 

understand whether available housing meets the 

needs of residents. For example, these data are used 

to measure overcrowding in communities and are 

used as integral components to set Fair Market Rents 

for all areas of the country.

When housing is not sufficient, data can help 

communities enroll eligible households in programs 

designed to assist them (such as the Low Income 

Home Energy Assistance Program), and can help 

communities qualify for grants from the Community 

Development Block Grant, HOME Investment 

Partnerships Program, Emergency Solutions Grants, 

Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, and 

other programs.

These data provide benchmark statistics that measure 

progress toward the Congressional declaration of goals 

for a national housing policy—a decent home and 

suitable living environment for every American family.

Plan Community Development

These data are used to identify adequate housing and 

may be useful in identifying types of structures in 

disaster-prone areas during emergency planning and 

preparation.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TYPE 

OF BUILDING, UNITS IN THE 

STRUCTURE, NUMBER OF ROOMS, 

AND NUMBER OF BEDROOMS ARE 

USED TO CREATE DATA ABOUT 

HOUSING TYPES AND HOUSING 

DENSITY.
62 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Units in Structure, Rooms, and Bedrooms Data

U.S. Department of Agriculture 42 USC §§ 1472, 1474, 1485, 1486, 1490, 1490a, 1490c, 

1490d, 1490e, 1490l, 1490m, 1490p-2, 1490r; 7 CFR 

1940.560–1940.567, 1940.575; 7 CFR 3550.10, 1980.312, 

3560.11; 7 CFR 3550.53(a), 3550.67(b), 3550.68(c); 7 

CFR 1980.301(d); 7 CFR 3560.152(a)(2), 3560.254(c) RD 

Instruction 1980-D, Exhibit C

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC § 8629 (a) and (b)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC §§ 8623 (a) (2) and (4), 8629 (a) (1)–(3) and (6), 

8629 (b)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Social Security Act, Section 1848e(1)(A)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Native American Housing Assistance and SelfDetermination Act of 1996, Public Law 104-330, as 

amended; 25 USC § 4152(b); 24 CFR 1000.324–1000.330 

(Also appendices A and B)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing and Community Development Act of 1974; 42 

USC § 5306(a)(1); 24 CFR 1003.101 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 12 U.S.C § 1701q; 24 CFR Part 891

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act; 42 USC §11371–

11376; 42 USC § 12901; 24 CFR Part 91; 24 CFR Part 576; 

24 CFR Part 574

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public 

Law 93-383, as amended, 42 USC § 1439 (d)(1)(A)(i); 24 

CFR 791.402

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public 

Law 93-383 as amended, 42 USC §§ 5302(a)(6)(D)(iv), 

(a)(9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (20), and (b) and 

5306(a), (b)(1), (2), and (3) and (d)(1); 24 CFR 1003.101

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public 

Law 101–625’ 42 USC § 12705(b)(1)-(3); 24 CFR Part 91; 24 

CFR 91.205(a)–(c)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and 

Soundness Act of 1992, section 1338, 12 USC § 4568

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), 

Public Law 92-500, 33 USC § 1254(a)(1)–(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), 

(b)(7), (n)(1), and (o)(1)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 63

Vehicles Available

Vehicles available asked since 1960.

Vehicle data are used in planning and funding for 

improvements to road and highway infrastructure, 

developing transportation plans and services, and 

understanding how people are traveling in the course 

of a normal day. These data are also used to evaluate 

pollution and access to transportation in emergencies. 

VEHICLE AVAILABILITY DATA HELP 

COMMUNITIES:

Improve Transportation

Knowing how many households have access to 

vehicles, in combination with where people commute 

to and from, and whether they commute with a 

personal vehicle helps transportation planners create 

mass transportation and metropolitan plans that are 

compliant with various regulations.

Local agencies and organizations use these data 

to plan programs and services for the disabled 

population, bicycle commuters, carpool and ridesharers, and many other groups; and to predict future 

use of new or updated transportation systems based 

on their understanding of the current users of various 

transportation options.

Understand Changes in Vehicle Use

Understanding vehicle availability and use helps 

communities understand exposure to air pollution and 

plan programs to help people without vehicles move 

about the community. Knowing whether people could 

evacuate using their personal vehicles in an emergency 

also helps communities plan emergency response.

A QUESTION ABOUT THE 

VEHICLES AVAILABLE TO EACH 

HOUSEHOLD IS USED TO CREATE 

DATA ABOUT VEHICLE ACCESS.
64 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Vehicles Available Data

U.S. Department of Energy Energy Policy Act of 1992, Public Law 102-486, 42 USC § 13385

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Voting Rights Act of 1965, 42 USC § 1973 et seq.; 28 CFR Part 51; 

LULAC v. Perry, 548 U.S. 399 (2006); Johnson v. DeGrandy, 512 

U.S. 997 (1994); Thornburg v. Gingles, 478 U.S. 30 (1986)

U.S. Department of Transportation 49 USC § 5303; 49 CFR Part 613

U.S. Department of Transportation Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Public Law 114-94, 49 

USC § 5304; 49 CFR Part 613, Subpart B

U.S. Department of Transportation Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Public Law 114-94, 49 

USC § 5303(c), (e), (h), (i), (j),(k), and (n)

U.S. Department of Transportation 49 USC §§ 6302(b)(3)(B), 6303(c ), 6304(a), and 6309(a)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Air Pollution Control Act (Clean Air Act), Public Law 84-159, 42 

USC § 7403(a)(2), (b)(1), and (b)(6)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Air Pollution Control Act (Clean Air Act), Public Law 84-159, 42 

USC § 7403(a)(1), (b)(6), (b)(7), (e), and (g)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Public Law 

92-500’ 33 USC § 1254 (a)(2), (b)(6), and (s)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), Public Law 

92-500, 33 USC § 1254(a)(1)–(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), (b)(7), (n)(1), and (o)

(1)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 65

Veteran Status, Period of Service, and Department of Veterans 

Affairs (VA) Service-Connected Disability Rating

Veteran status asked since 1890, period of military service asked since 1890,1 VA service-connected disability 

rating asked since 2008.

Data about veterans are used in planning and funding 

government programs that provide funds or services 

for veterans and in evaluating other government 

programs and policies to ensure they fairly and 

equitably serve the needs of veterans. These statistics 

are also used to enforce laws, policies, and regulations 

against discrimination in society. Though the VA 

maintains veterans’ records, these statistics do not 

provide federal program planners, policymakers, and 

researchers with additional statistics about all veterans, 

regardless of whether they use VA services. 1

VETERAN STATUS, PERIOD OF 

SERVICE, AND VA SERVICE-CONNECTED 

DISABILITY RATING DATA HELP 

COMMUNITIES:

Administer Programs for Veterans

Knowing the numbers and characteristics of veterans 

eligible for federal programs benefiting veterans, such 

as the VA Home Loan Guarantee program, the Post-9/11 

GI Bill, and job training and hiring preference programs 

can help communities and the federal government 

estimate the future demand for these programs and 

services. These data are also used to evaluate these 

programs to determine whether they are benefiting 

veterans as intended.

1 Veteran status and period of service were not asked in 1920.

Provide Health Care for Veterans

Knowing the number of veterans eligible to use 

VA health care in combination with age, disability, 

and service-connected disability ratings, can help 

communities and the federal government estimate 

the future demand for health care services and 

facilities. Communities in need of major VA medical 

facilities throughout the country make a case for new 

construction projects using these data to estimate the 

expected usage of new facilities.

Plan End-of-Life Options for Veterans

Knowing where veterans are living toward the end 

of their lives is important, as the VA estimates the 

number of nursing home and domiciliary beds needed 

based on the concentrations of eligible veterans over 

age 65. These data are also important for the VA 

National Cemetery Administration, whose goal is to 

have a VA burial option within 75 miles of a veteran’s 

residence. These data are used to plan construction of 

new cemeteries near the communities where veterans 

choose to live.

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Knowing the veteran and service-connected 

disability rating status of people in the community in 

combination with information about housing, voting, 

employment, and education, helps government and 

communities enforce against discrimination based on 

veteran or disability status. 

Understand New Challenges for Veterans

Knowing more about the characteristics of veterans 

returning to civilian life is also important to combat 

specific problems they may face. For example, these 

data are used in research to understand why veteran 

status is a predictor of homelessness. Such data have 

been combined with administrative data produced by 

shelters in an attempt to understand and document 

which interventions reduce homelessness among 

veterans. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT A PERSON’S 

MILITARY SERVICE AND SERVICECONNECTED DISABILITY RATING 

ARE USED TO CREATE ESTIMATES 

OF VETERANS AND THEIR NEEDS 

AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL.
66 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Veteran Status, Period of Service, and VA Service-Connected 

Disability Rating Data

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning 

and Evaluation

42 USC § 1397ii (b)(2)(A)–(C) 

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 42 

USC § 2000e-2

U.S. Department of Justice, 

Civil Rights Division

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 42 

USC § 2000e-2.; Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio, 490 U.S. 

642 (1989)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Millennium Health Care Benefits Act, Public Law 106-

117, Section 101; 38 USC § 1710, 8131(1), and 8134(a)(2)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 38 USC § 308(b)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 38 USC § 8104(b)(2)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 38 USC § 546

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 

110-389, Title III—Labor and Education Matters, Subtitle C—

Vocational Rehabilitation Matters, Section 334—Longitudinal 

study of Department of Veterans Affairs vocational 

rehabilitation programs, 38 USC § 3122

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act, Public Law 

106-117, Section 613(b)(2)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 67

Work Status Last Year

Work status last year asked since 1880.

Data on work status last year are used in planning 

and funding government programs that provide 

unemployment assistance and services, and to 

understand trends and difference in wages, benefits, 

work hours, and seasonal work. These data are also 

used to evaluate other government programs and 

policies to ensure they fairly and equitably serve the 

needs of all groups, and to enforce laws, regulations, 

and policies against discrimination in society.

WORK STATUS LAST YEAR DATA HELP 

COMMUNITIES:

Provide Employment Opportunities

Knowing whether programs designed to employ 

specific groups, such as people with disabilities or 

veterans, are succeeding is important to employers, 

federal agencies, and federal government contractors 

(Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act, 

Rehabilitation Act of 1973).

State and local agencies use these statistics to identify 

labor surplus areas (areas with people available for 

hiring and training), plan workforce development 

programs including job fairs and training programs, 

and promote business opportunities. 

Ensure Equal Opportunity

Knowing more about people who are employed or 

looking for work, in combination with age, gender, 

race, Hispanic origin, disability status, veteran status, 

and other data, helps governments and communities 

enforce laws, policies, and regulations against 

discrimination in employment. For example, data on 

work status last year are used to enforce laws against 

discrimination in employment by federal agencies, 

private employers, employment agencies, and labor 

organizations (Civil Rights Act of 1964). 

Understand Changes

Knowing the characteristics of people who are working 

or looking for work is an important part of estimating 

changes in the economy. Estimates of work status last 

year are used in funding decisions; to ensure surveys 

are accurate, including surveys that provide official labor 

market estimates; and to understand change in other 

data (Wagner-Peyser Act and Workforce Investment Act).

QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW MANY 

WEEKS A PERSON WORKED IN 

THE LAST YEAR, AND HOW MANY 

HOURS HE OR SHE WORKED EACH 

WEEK ARE USED TO PRODUCE 

STATISTICS ABOUT FULL-TIME 

AND PART-TIME WORKERS, AS 

WELL AS YEAR-ROUND AND 

SEASONAL WORKERS.
68 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Work Status Last Year Data

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Community Living

Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 

2000, Public Law 106-402, Section 124(c)(5), 42 USC § 15024

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

Community Services Block Grant Act, Public Law 105-285, 42 

USC § 9902 (2), 9903, and 9908 (b)(1)(A), (b)(11), and (c)(1)

(A)(i)

U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Public Law 105-220; 20 

CFR 668.296(b) and 668.440

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of Federal Operations

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Public Law 93-112, 29 USC § 

791(b); 29 CFR 1614.602

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 

Office of Research, Information, and Planning

Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352, 42 USC § 2000e2(k)(1)(A); Hazelwood v. United States, 433 U.S. 299 (1977)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey 69

Year Built and Year Moved In

Year built asked since 1940, year moved in asked since 1960.

These data are used in government programs that 

analyze whether adequate housing is available and 

affordable for residents, provide and fund housing 

assistance programs, and measure neighborhood 

stability. 

YEAR BUILT AND YEAR MOVED IN DATA 

HELP COMMUNITIES:

Provide Adequate Housing

Knowing the ages of housing in a community helps 

communities understand whether available housing 

meets the needs of residents.

When housing is not sufficient or older than a certain 

age, housing data can help communities enroll eligible 

households in programs designed to assist them 

(such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance 

Program), and can help communities qualify for grants 

from the Community Development Block Grant, HOME 

Investment Partnerships Program, Emergency Solutions 

Grants, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS, 

and other programs.

Plan Community Development

Knowing how the balance of different ages of homes in 

combination with whether they are occupied or vacant, 

can help communities identify opportunities to improve 

tax, assistance, and zoning policies and to reduce tax 

revenue losses from vacant or abandoned properties. 

These data may also be useful in identifying older 

structures in disaster-prone areas during emergency 

planning and preparation.

Knowing more about the age of the housing stock in 

combination with the financial situation of residents, 

including income, employment, and housing costs, can 

help communities qualify for loan and grant programs 

designed to stimulate economic recovery, improve 

housing, run job-training programs, and define areas as 

empowerment or enterprise zones.

QUESTIONS ABOUT WHEN A 

BUILDING WAS BUILT AND WHEN 

A PERSON MOVED INTO THAT 

HOME ARE USED TO CREATE 

DATA ABOUT HOUSING AGE AND 

AVAILABILITY.
70 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Selected Statutory Uses of Year Built and Year Moved In Data

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC § 8629(a) and (b)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Administration for Children and Families

42 USC §§ 8623(a)(2) and (4), 8629 (a)(1)–(3) and (6); 42 

USC 8629(b)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development United States Housing Act of 1937, Public Law 93-383, as 

amended, 42 USC § 1437f(c)(1); 24 CFR 888.113; 24 CFR 

982.401

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public 

Law 93–383, as amended, 42 USC § 1439 (d)(1)(A)(i); 24 

CFR 791.402

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public 

Law 93-383 as amended, 42 USC § 5302(a)(6)(D)(iv), (a)

(9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (20), and (b); 42 USC§ 

5306(a), (b)(1), (2), and (3) and (d)(1); 24 CFR 1003.101

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public 

Law 101–625, 42 USC 12705(b)(1)–(3); 24 CFR Part 91; 24 

CFR 91.205(a)–(c)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Tax Reform Act of 1986, Public Law 99-514, 26 USC § 

42(d)(5)(B)(ii)(I), (iii)(I), (iv), and (g); 15 U.S.C § 631

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, Public 

Law 101-625, 42 USC § 12747(b)(1)(A) and (B); 24 CFR 

92.50(a),(b), and (c)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), 

Public Law 92-500, 33 USC § 1254(a)(1)–(2), (b)(2), (b)(6), 

(b)(7), (n)(1), and (o)(1)
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey A-1

Appendix:

Year Current Subjects Planned First Asked in 

Decennial Census Program
A-2 Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey U.S. Census Bureau

Year Current Subjects Planned First Asked in Decennial Census Program

Subjects Planned for 2020 Census and/or ACS Year Subject First Asked in 

Decennial Census or ACS Years Not Asked 

Acreage 1960

Age 1790

Agricultural Sales 1960

Ancestry 1980

Bedrooms 1960

Citizenship 1820 1840–1860, 1880

Class of Worker 1910

Commuting (Journey to Work) 1960

Computer and Internet Use 2013

Condominium and Mobile Home Fees 1990

Cost of Utilities 1940

Disability 1830

Educational Attainment 1940

Ethnicity 1970

Fertility 1890

Gender 1790

Grandparent Caregivers 2000

Health Insurance 2008

Home Heating Fuel 1940

Home Value 1940

Income 1940

Industry 1820 1830, 1850–1900

Insurance 1980

Kitchen Facilities 1940

Labor Force Status 1890

Language Spoken at Home 1890 1950 

Marital History 1850

Marital Status 1880

Migration (Previous Residence)/Residence 1 Year Ago 1930

Mortgages 1940

Occupation 1850

Period of Military Service 1890 1920

Place of Birth 1850

Plumbing Facilities 1940

Race 1790

Relationship 1880

Rent 1940

Rooms 1940

School Enrollment 1850
U.S. Census Bureau Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and American Community Survey A-3

Year Current Subjects Planned First Asked in Decennial Census Program—Con.

Subjects Planned for 2020 Census and/or ACS Year Subject First Asked in 

Decennial Census or ACS Years Not Asked 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/ 

 Food Stamps

2005

Taxes 1940 1950–70

Telephone Service 1960

Tenure (Owner/Renter) 1890

Undergraduate Field of Degree 2009

Units in Structure 1940

VA Service-Connected Disability Rating 2008

Veteran Status 1890 1920

Work Status Last Year 1880

Year Built 1940

Year Moved In 1960

Year of Entry 1890 1940–1960