AUG. 16, 2022 — The U.S. Census Bureau today released estimates of net coverage error and components of coverage for Puerto Rico from the 2020 Post-Enumeration Survey (PES). These results provide insight into the quality of the 2020 Census counts for the population and housing units in Puerto Rico.

“The release of coverage estimates for Puerto Rico represents a final piece in completing our comprehensive assessments from the 2020 Post-Enumeration Survey,” Census Bureau Director Robert L. Santos said. “This is one of many self-assessments that allow us to think critically about how we transform our operations and plan for the 2030 Census.”

The PES was used to develop independent estimates of the number of people and housing units in the United States and Puerto Rico on April 1, 2020. These estimates were compared to 2020 Census counts to explore the strengths and limitations of the data and to inform plans to improve the 2030 Census.

Puerto Rico is the largest and most populous U.S. territory and was treated as a separate governmental entity. As such, the sample was designed up front to allow for subpopulation estimates of coverage.  

• According to the PES, the 2020 Census overcounted the Puerto Rico population by 5.7% or 174,000 people. This was not statistically different from the 4.5% overcount in the 2010 Census.
• The estimated rate of erroneous enumerations in the 2020 Census was 9.8% or 319,000.  This includes an estimated 9.1% or 294,000 duplicate records.
• The PES estimated an overcount of people in owned housing units by 8.6%. Renters did not have a statistically significant undercount or overcount.
• The PES estimated overcounts of the population for ages 30 to 49 years old by 3.6% and ages 50 years and older by 9.7%. The estimated net coverage error rates for the remaining age groups, including children, were not statistically significant.
• Adult males (5.7%) and females (7.3%) were statistically significantly overcounted in the 2020 Census.
• The PES estimated statistical overcounts for 2020 Census counts of females ages 30 to 49 years (4.9%) and females 50 years and over (11.0%), as well as males 50 years and over (8.3%).
• The PES estimated overcounts in the San Juan-Bayamón, PR Combined Statistical Area and in the rest of Puerto Rico.
• Because of the demographics in Puerto Rico, coverage estimates are not computed by race and Hispanic origin.

The Census Bureau’s Update Leave operation was of particular importance in Puerto Rico because of the impact of Hurricane Maria. As part of this effort, census workers visited housing units without mailable addresses and left blank census forms and other information to encourage public participation in the 2020 Census.

“These results provide valuable insights that can inform and motivate numerous innovations and operations used in the 2020 Census. Furthermore, work remains for the 2020 Census. We’re not done yet. There are still large data products forthcoming that show the rich diversity of the American people,” Santos said. “As part of the transformation process, we’re taking a fresh look at who we are and looking at ways to engage with the public and stakeholders to get input on designing the 2030 Census – one of many efforts underway to learn how we, the Census Bureau, can contribute more relevant data to the nation.”

In addition to the Census Coverage Estimates for Puerto Rico and the Census Coverage Estimates for Housing Units in the United States reports, the Census Bureau also released the Source and Accuracy of 2020 Post-Enumeration Survey Housing Unit Estimates.