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Census Testing by Year
Census Testing by Year
To meet the strategic goals and objectives for the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau must make fundamental changes to the design, implementation, and management of the decennial census. These changes must build upon the successes and address the challenges of the previous censuses while also balancing challenges of cost containment, quality, flexibility, innovation, and maintaining a disciplined and transparent acquisition decision process.
The 2020 Census is conducting a Research and Testing (R&T) Phase to obtain evidence-based decisions to address the challenges listed above. The objective of the R&T Phase is to develop preliminary designs based on solid evidence and a trade-off analysis aimed at achieving the goal of conducting the 2020 Census at a lower cost than the 2010 Census (per housing unit on an inflation-adjusted basis). Creating an evidence-based design requires making design decisions informed by the best insights that can be gathered−within schedule and budget constraints−on costs, benefits, and risks of different combinations of design options.
2019 Census Test
The 2019 Census Test was a nationwide test that the Census Bureau conducted in preparation for the 2020 Census.
Prueba del Censo del 2019
La Prueba del Censo del 2019 fue una prueba nacional que la Oficina del Censo realizó en preparación para el Censo del 2020.
2018 Census Test
The 2018 Census Test took place in Pierce County, Wash.; Providence County, R.I.; and the Bluefield-Beckley-Oak Hill, W.Va., area.
2017 Census Test
The 2017 Census Test provided the opportunity to research new methods and advanced technologies to improve data collection during the 2020 Census.
2016 Census Test
The primary focus of the 2016 Census Test was to refine the methodologies for conducting nonresponse follow-up.
2016 Census Test, Address Canvassing
The Address Canvassing Test allowed the Census Bureau to test address canvassing strategies, processes and systems in advance of the 2020 Census.
2015 Census Tests
Tests in 2015 continued research on modern and cost-efficient methods to conduct the 2020 Census.
2014 Census Test
The 2014 Census Test was conducted to test strategies to encourage self-response as well as ways to efficiently follow-up with households that don’t respond.
2013 Census Test
The 2013 Census Test was an exploratory study of new methods for data collection in 2020 for people who won’t respond to the 2020 Census online or on the form.
Page Last Revised - October 28, 2021
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