Census takers, including postal workers, may visit households that have not responded on their own — known as in-field enumeration (IFE) — to collect responses in person. Those visits may happen during the day or evening, with some occurring as late as 9 p.m. on weekdays and weekends through August 31.

All census takers and specially designated postal workers will carry official identification, including a clearly marked Census Bureau:

• Badge with their name and picture.
• Bag with logo.

The Census Bureau’s pilot program with the USPS was designed to explore ways to leverage the neighborhood’s longstanding trust in their postal carriers. The pilot program will also evaluate and refine key processes and improve overall IFE processes for the 2030 Census. Postal workers in the pilot will undergo background checks, receive census-specific training, and be required to follow Census Bureau confidentiality provisions under Title 13 of the U.S. Code.

In Huntsville, households that have not yet responded may be visited by census takers and postal workers hired as Census Bureau employees. In Spartanburg, households that have not yet responded may receive a visit from a postal worker to collect responses during their normal mail delivery route or from a census taker.

Households are still encouraged to respond online on their own. The online questionnaire can be completed via computer, tablet or smartphone. The online questionnaire asks for information on household members, such as name, sex, age, Hispanic origin, race, citizenship and education.

Responses are safe, secure and protected by federal law. All information collected is confidential under Title 13, United States Code, Section 9.

Data collection for the 2026 Census Test (self-response online and IFE) will conclude August 31.

The 2026 Census Test will evaluate the viability of innovations planned for the 2030 Census and inform the Census Bureau’s readiness to achieve a complete and accurate count of the nation’s population.

For more details, visit the 2030 Census and 2026 Census Test webpages and the 2026 Census Test Press Kit.

No news release associated with this product. Tip sheet only.

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