Annual City Census vs. US Census and Why You Should Complete Both

The City of Cambridge is required by state law to conduct an Annual City Census of all residents age 3 and older. This form was recently mailed to Cambridge households and is due back in 10 days. The information helps maintain the city’s active voter list and provides a count of residents. If you are not a registered voter in Cambridge, it is the only way the Election Commission can verify residency. Responses are also compiled for the annual Street List Book containing names and addresses of every resident age 17 and older.

To submit your city census online, visit CambridgeMA.gov/census

Required by the US Constitution every 10 years, the US Census is a count of the entire country to determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives for the next decade, and the number of Electoral College votes each State receives. For Cambridge, it is estimated that over $2,000 in federal funding per resident, per year is allocated based on Census data. Most residents will receive a postcard in March 2020 inviting them to participate in the US Census online, via phone, or by a paper form. All responses to the US Census are kept confidential.

Both the Annual City Census and the US Census are important for different reasons, and we’re asking you to make sure you are counted in both in 2020. Learn more about the Annual City Census at CambridgeMa.gov/census or the US Census at CambridgeMA.gov/2020census.