Census Bureau Identifies Seven Problems for Next Survey

The U.S. Census Bureau has concluded its public consultation on the 2030 Census, gathering insights and recommendations from a wide range of stakeholders to shape the next decade’s population count, and identified several key challenges.

The ideas were received in response to a Federal Register Notice seeking input on ways to improve the way people respond to the population count every 10 years.

Following the close of the consultation last month, the Census Bureau is analyzing the feedback to inform the development of the 2030 Census Operational Plan, set to be released in 2025.

The Census Bureau reported that it received more than 8,000 comments that it reviewed, analyzed and, where appropriate, included in its 2030 Census research agenda. Newsweek was directed to the report when it approached the Bureau for comment.

However, the 2030 Census program could encounter multiple issues that the census will have to address which are likely to influence its design and implementation. Seven key problems have been identified by the Bureau.

Among these are technological advancements, growing concerns over privacy and sensitive information, and the need to reach historically undercounted populations.

In light of the results, as the Bureau works to refine its approach, the success of the 2030 Census will likely depend on balancing innovation with the timeless need for inclusivity and trust.

Key Challenges Identified

1. Constrained fiscal environment

Budget uncertainties place significant pressure on funding available for the research, testing, design and development work. Changes in legislation could influence census questions, funding and public trust in the process.

2. Rapidly changing use of technology

The 2020 Census marked the first significant push toward online data collection, and the Bureau aims to expand on this digital approach. However, the rapid pace of technological change presents opportunities and risks and makes it challenging to plan for, adapt to and adequately test the use of technologies before they become obsolete.

3. Distrust in government

Concerns about the security and privacy of information given to the government impact response rates and pose difficulties in data collection. Ensuring cybersecurity and protecting sensitive data will be paramount as the Census Bureau integrates advanced data collection tools.

4. Declining response rates

Response rates for surveys and censuses have declined as people are overloaded with requests for information and concerned about privacy

5. Informal, complex living arrangements

Households are becoming more diverse and dynamic, making it a challenge to associate an identified person with a single location.

6. A mobile population

The U.S. continues to be a highly mobile nation, which makes it more challenging to locate individuals and solicit their participation. Natural disasters and climate-related displacement could complicate data collection. Temporary relocations because of events like hurricanes or wildfires may make it more difficult to count affected populations accurately.

7. Increasingly diverse population

The demographic and cultural makeup of the U.S. is increasing in complexity, requiring tailored outreach efforts to encourage response. Despite significant efforts in 2020, certain populations—such as rural residents, immigrants and communities of color—remain undercounted. The Bureau has acknowledged that new, culturally sensitive approaches will be required to close these gaps to reach underserved communities.

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has introduced significant updates to how federal surveys address questions about race and ethnicity, marking the first major revision since 1997, the Brennan Center, a nonpartisan law and policy institute, reported.

The newly announced changes focus on Statistical Policy Directive No. 15, which governs how all federal surveys, including the census, ask about race and ethnicity.

The OMB has announced three key revisions to the process. Key revisions to questions used to collect information on race and ethnicity will include using one combined question for race and ethnicity and encouraging respondents to select as many options as apply to how they identify.

It also standardizes subgroup checkboxes and write-in options, the Brennan Center reported. Also, Middle Eastern or North African will be added as a new minimum category.

Newsweek contacted the OMB for comment via email on Thursday.

“The 2030 Census will count residents of the United States and five U.S. territories and will mark the 25th population count in the United States,” the Census Bureau previously said.

“The data collected by the census is used to determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives [a process called apportionment] and is also used to adjust or redraw electoral districts based on where populations have increased or decreased.

“The results also inform decisions about allocating hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding to communities across the country—for hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other critical programs and services.”