August 17, 2022

Census Bureau: Public Invited to Provide Input on Designing the 2030 Census

Feedback Is Critical for Informing Plans for the Next Decennial Headcount

The U.S. Census Bureau has formally invited the public to share their input and ideas for an improved 2030 Census. The invitation comes in the form of a Federal Register Notice published today. The notice marks the start of a 90-day response window.

The Census Bureau is in the early stages of planning for the next census – a process that includes years of research and testing to prepare for the complex task of counting every person living in the United States each decade. By mid-decade, in 2024, the Census Bureau expects to decide the initial operational design for the 2030 Census – the “big picture” plan for the census. That milestone is followed by refining procedures and putting technology and other infrastructure in place for the national count in 2030.

As part of the planning efforts, the public is invited to share feedback on how the Census Bureau can improve the public’s experience during the 2030 Census. With this input, the Census Bureau aims to better reach and count historically undercounted people, overcome challenges and encourage everyone to respond to the 2030 Census. Public input is needed now so it can inform the Census Bureau’s decisions on the initial operational design, along with the findings of dozens of research projects underway. 

Through the Federal Register Notice, the Census Bureau is looking for recommendations on:

For reference, the 2020 Census Operational Plan and Detailed Operational Plansprovide information about how the Census Bureau designed and implemented the 2020 Census.

The Census Bureau will consider the public’s feedback along with lessons learned from the 2020 Census.

How to Provide Feedback

The public can submit comments in two ways:

Comments must be received by November 15, 2022. Comments should be specific, detailed, clear and identify which topic(s) each comment addresses.

The Census Bureau will summarize and share the input received publicly. While the Census Bureau may not be able to implement all recommendations received, each idea and recommendation received will be given careful consideration as the agency researches, tests and plans the 2030 Census operational design. 

This post was originally published here.