eResponse

Electronic Response Data Transfer (eResponse)

The eResponse enumeration method for counting people living or staying in group quarters allows administrators of group quarters to electronically transfer facility data to the Census Bureau. The eResponse period for the United States, including Puerto Rico, will begin on April 1, 2020, and end on June 5, 2020.

Administrators:

Information on this page is intended for group quarters administrators and contains important information on the U.S. Census Bureau's eResponse method.

Purpose

This enumeration method is one of several response options available to group quarters, which include military correctional facilities, correctional facilities, hospitals, nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities, and college and university student housing.

How Does eResponse Work?

For the 2020 Census, administrators of non-service-based group quarters facilities may respond by electronic response data transfer (eResponse). This allows the facility to respond to the 2020 Census without a census taker visiting.

Group quarters administrators that elect to use the eResponse method receive a letter with instructions and a unique user ID for accessing the eResponse portal. After the administrator has entered the user ID and set up security questions, the system generates a PIN. The user ID and PIN are used to log in to the eResponse portal.

The group quarters administrator downloads a census template and enters their facility’s name, type description, address, location description, population at their facility on Census Day (April 1, 2020), and respondent data into the template.

Group quarters administrators can use their user ID and PIN to access the portal as many times as needed but are given only two opportunities to submit the completed document.
If the template is uploaded successfully, the group quarters administrator receives a notification that the file has been accepted. Once accepted, no changes can be made. If submission was unsuccessful, the group quarters administrator receives an error message and will be given one more opportunity to submit a corrected and completed document.
Filling in the eResponse template takes approximately 20 minutes.
If you lose or misplace your eResponse user ID, please contact the Census Bureau at 844-470-2020.

Uploaded information can be seen only by authorized Census Bureau workers sworn to protect Title 13 data.

What Is the eResponse Website Address?

The eResponse website address is respond.census.gov/gqe. The eResponse website will be open for the GQ administrator (or GQ contact person) to upload data from Apil 1, 2020, through June 5, 2020.