2020 Census Outreach Project
Notice to the Public: The last day to take the U.S. Census or send in your paper response was Oct. 15, 2020.
About the 2020 U.S. Census
The U.S. Census Bureau is responsible for canvassing and conducting the actual enumeration process nationally for each decennial census. The California Census Office, also known as the California Complete Count Office, helps to get the word out about the census to Californians statewide.
The U.S. Census Bureau will focus on national outreach and media campaigns to inform all individuals living in the United States of the upcoming Census. The state’s Census Office is targeting the hardest-to-count Californians through grassroots culturally appropriate outreach and multicultural, in-language media efforts. The County's Administrative Office is working with local groups and organizations to target hard-to-count individuals locally.
California Complete Count Mission
Ensure that Californians get their fair share of federal resources and Congressional representation by encouraging the full participation of all Californians in Census 2020.
Notice to the Public: Due to the California State Governor’s Executive Order N-25-20 and as a result of the growing threat of COVID-19, the Paso Robles City library and the County’s Questionnaire Assistance Center are closed until further notice. Residents with questions about the Census may call the U.S. Census Bureau at 1-844-330-2020 or reach out to our Census Questionnaire Assistance Phone Line (contact information detailed below).
A complete and accurate count of San Luis Obispo County, California's population is essential. The data collected by the decennial census determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is used to distribute billions of federal dollars to state and local governments, including our county. We have committed to assisting California in its statewide effort to ensure an accurate and complete count of SLO County's population in the 2020 Census.
Project Contacts
County Administrative Office
Tel: (805) 781-5011
Census Questionnaire Assistance Phone Line
This live support phone line is for County residents who have questions about the Census with instructions in both Spanish and English. Call (805)-781-5011 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Project Updates
Last Chance to Complete 2020 Census in SLO County is October 31
October 5, 2020 - San Luis Obispo County residents now have until October 31 to complete the 2020 Census, according to a new court ruling. On October 1, 2020, District Judge Lucy Koh of the Northern California District ordered the U.S. Census Bureau (USCB) to continue the Census through October 31. This means that Census workers will resume door-to-door interviews through October 31. Household members are encouraged to stay six feet away from census takers during interviews and practice the CDC’s other recommendations as much as possible. See the news release.
Governor Newsom Encourages Californians to get Counted by September 30th
Governor Gavin Newsom released today his latest "On the Record" column encouraging Californians to get counted in the 2020 Census by September 30.
“It’s our mission to include every community in the Census count, including ones who have previously been left out due to language and cultural barriers, fear or misinformation,” wrote the Governor in his column. “We’ve made historic investments in ensuring every single person living in California – especially those in hard-to-count communities – is counted. That includes working with non-profit organizations and ethnic media partners to ensure we reach every Californian in the language they speak.”
To read in full Govenor Newsom's latest Census 2020 release click here.
Census Workers Come to SLO County
August 12, 2020: San Luis Obispo County residents who have not responded to the 2020 US Census may see official census takers from the US Census Bureau at their doors. Census takers began follow-up work in SLO County on August 11, going door to door to households that have not yet responded to the 2020 US Census. The US Census Bureau recently also announced plans to shorten their in-field operations from October 31 to September 30. Household members are encouraged to stay six feet away from census takers during interviews and practice the CDC’s other recommendations as much as possible. Read the news release.
New Outreach Materials
As it is important that everyone gets counted in the 2020 Census because the Census is used to determine funding for things like affordable housing, food assistance programs, and shelters, the county is releasing new materials to help answer some questions regarding how to get counted.
The new guides include answers to:
- How to get counted (for people experiencing Homelessness)
- How to get counted (for people doubled up/couchsurfing)
- What to expect at Encampments
- What to expect at outdoor locations
- What to expect for service based locations
For more information please review the following guides:
What to Expect at Encampments
How to Get Counted for People Experiencing Homelessness
How to Get Counted for People Staying with Friends or Family
How to Take the Census Online
Watch the video below (select your preferred language) to learn how to take the 2020 Census online.
U.S. Census Bureau Sends Workers to Verify Addresses
8/22/2019 - SLO County residents may notice census address canvassers in their neighborhood beginning this week through mid-October of 2019 to verify addresses. Read more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every Californian counts, and in order to ensure fair representation, it's our civic duty to participate. The Census data is used in redistricting for SLO County, which is the redrawing or adjusting of district lines to ensure that local legislative representation is fair and balanced. Data collected from the Census will also help determine local school districts. The Census data also helps determine federal funding to local communities. In fact, in the last fiscal year the County of San Luis Obispo received $74.6 million in federal funding for various programs, including health services, child welfare services and emergency response management grants, much of which was allocated based on census information.
- To advocate more resources for community members.
- To ensure public safety and plan new schools and hospitals.
- To decide where to open companies and businesses, which create jobs.
- By law, the U.S. Census Bureau cannot share the data with immigration or law enforcement agencies or allow it to determine eligibility for government benefits.
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