The U.S. Census Bureau today released the first version of the 2030 Census Operational Plan, along with an interactive tool for exploring it. This plan documents the initial, high-level design for the next census, outlining the breadth of work needed to conduct and support a quality population and housing count. Future iterations of the plan will describe the work in more detail.
The plan, “Baseline 1,” provides a snapshot of big-picture activities the Census Bureau will undertake to conduct the 2030 Census:
- Establish where to count. Identify all the addresses where people could live.
- Count the population. Encourage participation and response. Collect and process data for households and individuals in all living situations.
- Research census results. Understand coverage and quality of census results.
- Provide census results. Prepare and provide census data products.
- Plan and manage. Plan and design operations and follow disciplined program management practices to effectively prepare for and conduct the census.
- Provide solutions. Manage and execute the planning, design, development, testing, security, and operational support for IT solutions required to conduct the census.
- Provide infrastructure. Provide services, staffing, workspace and environment needed to develop, test, secure and conduct the census.
Baseline 1 builds upon the successes of the 2020 Census, with further improvements to increase efficiencies. The plan incorporates research, small-scale testing and public feedback to date. The Census Bureau is set to carry out the 2026 Census Test and 2028 Census Dress Rehearsal to inform subsequent, more detailed versions of the plan. This iterative approach will give the Census Bureau an evidence-based design for the 2030 Census.