The 2020 Island Areas Censuses counted people living in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The decennial census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and is conducted once every 10 years.

The 2020 Island Areas Censuses were 100% paper-based and led by census takers. Census workers began listing addresses of all living quarters in February 2020 and began in-person interviews.

Responses to the 2020 Island Areas Censuses drive decisions to plan for hospitals and schools, support local programs, improve emergency services, construct roads, inform businesses looking to add jobs, and more for the island area community.

Data Products

Population and Housing Counts

American Samoa

Related Information

U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2010 Census Population Counts for American Samoa

Data Tables

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Related Information

U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2010 Census Population Counts for the Northern Mariana Islands

Data Tables

Guam

Related Information

U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2010 Census Population Counts for Guam

Data Tables

U.S. Virgin Islands

Related Information

U.S. Census Bureau Releases 2010 Census Population Counts for the U.S. Virgin Islands

Data Tables

News Products

Related Information

Press Release

Census Bureau Releases 2020 Census DHC Summary File for American Samoa

July 20, 2023

The U.S. Census Bureau released statistics for American Samoa in its 2020 Island Areas Censuses Demographic and Housing Characteristics Summary File (DHC).

Press Release

2020 Census DHC Summary File for the CNMI

July 20, 2023

The U.S. Census Bureau today released statistics for the CNMI in its 2020 Island Areas Censuses DHC.

Press Release

2020 Census DHC Summary File for Guam

July 20, 2023

The U.S. Census Bureau today released statistics for Guam in its 2020 Island Areas Censuses Demographic and Housing Characteristics Summary File (DHC).

Press Release

2020 Census DHC Summary File for USVI

July 20, 2023

The U.S. Census Bureau today released statistics for the USVI in its 2020 Island Areas Censuses DHC.

Press Release

Census Bureau Provides Update on 2020 Census Island Area Data Products

June 27, 2023

The U.S. Census Bureau today announced the 2020 Census Island Areas Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC) File is scheduled for release on July 20.

Press Release

Next 2020 Island Areas Censuses Data Product To Be Released in October

July 13, 2022

The U.S. Census Bureau announced that the next round of data from the 2020 Island Areas Censuses will be released in October 2022.

Press Release

Census Bureau Releases 2020 Census Population and Housing Unit Counts for American Samoa

October 28, 2021

As of April 1, 2020, the American Samoa’s population was 49,710, representing a decrease of 10.5% from the 2010 Census population of 55,519.

Press Release

Census Bureau Releases 2020 Census Population and Housing Unit Counts for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

October 28, 2021

As of April 1, 2020, the Northern Mariana Islands’ population was 47,329 representing a decrease of 12.2% from the 2010 Census population of 53,883.

Press Release

Census Bureau Releases 2020 Census Population and Housing Unit Counts for Guam

October 28, 2021

As of April 1, 2020, Guam’s population was 153,836, representing a decrease of 3.5% from the 2010 Census population of 159,358.

Press Release

Census Bureau Releases 2020 Census Population and Housing Unit Counts for the U.S. Virgin Islands

October 28, 2021

As of April 1, 2020, the U.S. Virgin Islands’ population was 87,146, representing a decrease of 18.1% from the 2010 Census population of 106,405.

Press Release

U.S. Census Bureau to Resume Field Data Collection in the Island Areas

May 22, 2020

The U.S. Census Bureau is reopening offices in preparation for resuming operations for the 2020 Island Areas Censuses.

Press Release

The U.S. Census Bureau Begins to Count U.S. Island Areas Populations

March 02, 2020

The U.S. Census Bureau has begun counting people living in the U.S. territories for the 2020 Census.

America Counts

Related Information

America Counts Story

Home Values Rose Sharply in U.S. Island Areas

July 20, 2023

New detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics tables from the 2020 Island Areas Censuses show homeownership & home values in the four U.S. Island Areas.

America Counts Story

2020 Island Areas Censuses: Computer and Internet Use

October 20, 2022

New data from the Island Areas Censuses provide an updated look at estimates of computer ownership and broadband internet subscriptions.

America Counts Story

First 2020 Census U.S. Island Areas Data Released Today

October 28, 2021

The first 2020 U.S. Island Areas Censuses shows that the combined population of the four U.S. Island Areas was just under 339,000 in 2020.

Resources Related to Geographic Concepts

Geographic Header Record: American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam

Lists each field and provides its data dictionary reference name, maximum field size, and data type.

Geographic Header Record: U.S. Virgin Islands

Lists each field and provides its data dictionary reference name, maximum field size, and data type.

Data Dictionary for Geographic Header

Information about interpreting the records and geographic codes within the data.

Summary Level Hierarchy Chart

Displays the hierarchical relationships among the summary levels in this summary file.

Summary Level Sequence List

Information about the summary levels in the summary file and the geographic components associated with each summary level.

Additional Resources

Accuracy and Confidentiality of the Data

A high-level overview of data collection methodology, confidentiality protections, and accuracy of the data.

Guidance on Using 2020 Island Areas Censuses Data

Information about differences between table universes and the availability of specific geographies.

Residence Criteria and Resident Situations

Criteria that are used to determine where people are counted during the census.

Questionnaire

Informational questionnaires used during the 2020 Island Areas Censuses.

User Notes and Errata

Issues affecting the 2020 Island Areas Censuses, including design, collection, production, and release, to be better informed when analyzing statistics.