The U.S. Census Bureau has released the initial version of its operational plan for the 2030 Census, presenting an overview of the major activities involved in preparing for and conducting the nationwide population and housing count.
This first version, referred to as “Baseline 1,” details several core tasks. These include identifying all addresses where people could live, encouraging participation and collecting data from households and individuals in various living situations, researching census results to assess coverage and quality, preparing census data products, managing operations with disciplined program management practices, developing IT solutions necessary for the census process, and providing infrastructure such as staffing and workspace.
According to the Census Bureau, this baseline plan builds on lessons learned from the 2020 Census while aiming to improve efficiency. The agency states that it is using research findings, small-scale testing efforts, and public feedback collected so far to shape its approach.
To further refine future versions of the operational plan, the Census Bureau will conduct a national test in 2026 followed by a dress rehearsal in 2028. These steps are intended to ensure that subsequent plans for the 2030 Census are grounded in evidence-based design.
“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.”
The iterative strategy outlined by officials is designed so that each phase informs more detailed planning as preparations move forward toward 2030.