JULY 27, 2023 — The U.S. Census Bureau will announce several important new updates during a webinar today about the planning and preparations for the 2030 Census. During the virtual event, Census Bureau leaders will focus on three key aspects of the groundwork being laid for the next decennial census:

• Research projects.
• Testing strategy.
• Timeline.

“These are the first major announcements the Census Bureau has made in regard to our preparations for the 2030 Census – and we are excited to share the foundation we’ve built so far,” Census Bureau Director Robert L. Santos says. “The Census Bureau has a long track record of innovation and these plans continue that legacy by using research projects and ongoing testing to put those innovations into the field for 2030.”

The Census Bureau has launched dozens of research projects designed to help guide the building and implementation of innovations for the next decennial. Today Census Bureau leaders will share a new online tool called the 2030 Census Research Project Explorer. The online tool gives the public access to information about the 50-plus research projects being conducted, including the questions Census Bureau researchers are trying to answer.

The research projects fall under five focus or “Enhancement Areas”:

1. Data Collection 
2. Modernize Group Quarters Enumeration
3. Integration of Data Collection and Processing in Near Real Time 
4. Streamline Operational Support Infrastructure
5. Continuous Data Collection and Aggregation

The goal of these research projects is to enhance the operations and technologies that worked successfully in the 2020 Census and introduce innovations for 2030.  

Census Bureau leaders will also announce the testing strategy leading up to the 2030 Census. The strategy is twofold: 1) small-scale testing 2) major field tests. 

The Census Bureau found small-scale testing valuable in preparing for the 2020 Census so is using it again to prepare for the next decennial census. The advantages of small-scale testing include:

• Delivers swift, well-defined results.
• Enables us to quickly test methodologies and systems to determine whether they need additional, more extensive field testing providing the opportunity to:
  • Refine and enhance operations and technologies that worked successfully for the 2020 Census.
  • Introduce innovations and test their effectiveness and suitability for use in the 2030 Census.

The Census Bureau will conduct two major field tests to prepare for 2030. The first major field test will be held on Census Day on April 1, 2026, and the second field test will happen on Census Day on April 1, 2028. The one in 2026 will test innovative systems and methods to ensure feasibility and cohesive design. It will also collect data for future response and cost models for census operations.

The 2028 test will serve as a dry run of operations and the handoffs between them. It will be the last chance to fine-tune processes and systems before they are implemented for the 2030 Census.

These two tests will complement each other to ensure operational viability and end-to-end cohesion.

“The 2030 research and testing strategy reflects this decade’s focus on enhancements, specifically building upon the 2020 Census design,” says Deborah M. Stempowski, associate director for Decennial Census Programs. Stempowski emphasizes that “since many methods and systems were validated in 2020 through successful implementation, our focus is now on adding research-driven enhancements that will lead to an even more successful decennial census.”

The Census Bureau is also releasing an updated timeline showing the lead-up to the 2030 Census. The timeline shows the four phases of planning for the upcoming decennial census, and how the agency’s research projects and testing strategy fit into the phases of the timeline. The Census Bureau is currently in the “Design Selection Phase” in planning the 2030 Census. This phase runs through December 2024. 

In mid-October, the Census Bureau is scheduled to hold another webinar to share the findings from comments submitted to last year’s 2030 Census Federal Register Notice. The Census Bureau will discuss how it plans to incorporate that feedback into the 2030 Census research agenda. Details on timing will be released in the coming months. 

Planning for a decennial census takes years. Attempting to count every person living in the United States is an incredibly complex undertaking.

The 2030 Census will involve a continuous research, design, and testing approach throughout the entire decade. The design of the 2030 Census will mature through 2029 based on research and testing.

For more information, visit the 2030 Census webpage for updates and additional resources.