by the U.S. Census Bureau
Today (Oct. 19, 2018) the U.S. Census Bureau announced that the first enumeration for the 2020 Census will take place in Toksook Bay, Alaska. Toksook Bay is located in the southwest corner of the state and is home to an estimated 661 people as of July 1, 2017.
Remote Alaska’s vast, sparsely settled areas traditionally are counted in January of the decennial census year. Local census takers must get a head start while the frozen ground allows easier access to the remote areas with unique accessibility challenges. To access these areas, the census takers use modes of transportation such as bush plane, dogsled and snowmobile. In addition, many residents leave following the spring thaw to fish and hunt or for other warm-weather jobs, making it difficult to get an accurate count in the days leading up to the April 1 Census Day.
Residents of Anchorage, Fairbanks and other large Alaska cities will respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone or mail in mid-March like the rest of the country.