Survey Reveals Key Knowledge Gaps Regarding 2020 Census

D’Vera Cohn, Anna Brown, and Scott Keeter share findings from a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center to determine the general U.S. public's readiness for Census 2020.

While most Americans know the Census is underway, "A majority incorrectly believes a citizenship question is on the questionnaire, and only about one-in-five know they will have the option of answering online," according to the findings of the survey.

While 95 percent of adults surveyed say they are aware of the census, only 17 percent of adults answered correctly about whether the census includes a citizenship question. "The mistaken belief that citizenship is on the census is held by about half of men and middle-aged adults, as well as by a majority of women and young and older adults. A majority of white and black adults think citizenship is asked, as do 49% of Latinos," according to the article.

Another key finding of the survey finds widespread enthusiasm for the census, although groups showing less enthusiasm to participate have traditionally been harder to count—black adults, Hispanic adults, people without degrees from four-year colleges, and young adults between the ages of 18 and 29.