On August 12, the United States Census Bureau announced that their employees would be walking through neighborhoods in cities across the country to confirm home addresses.
This activity, called “Neighborhood Address Canvassing,” officially takes place from August 4 to October 18, 2019. Census employees will knock on doors and ask a few short questions to verify the address and any additional living spaces on the property for inclusion in the 2020 Census.
Canvassers will at all times introduce themselves as a Census Bureau employee, show their official government ID badge, and explain the purpose of the visit. You may also ask the employee for a picture ID from another source (e.g., their driver’s license) to confirm their identity.
You do not need to open your door to these employees.
You can ask for them to first show you their badge and Census-branded gear through a window. You can also ask for them to more fully explain the reason for their visit. You may also open the door, close it behind you, and talk to them outside.
You should only open your door if you feel fully comfortable doing so.