How Administrative Data Played into the 2020 Census

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As administrative data � datasets collected by government agencies and commercial entities typically as a byproduct of nonstatistical activities, such as delivering mail � rises in importance in Census Bureau survey measurement, the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality has released a new report on its use in the 2020 Census.

The Bureau has long used such data to provide �information about individuals, housing units, or businesses, including to aid in data quality analysis, build and update address lists, and produce population estimates.� The 2020 Census relied more on administrative data than ever before to �supplement key components of data collection, data processing, and quality control efforts.� The Center believes that administrative data �will likely play an increasing role in the federal statistical system, in part due to the growing cost of surveys and declining survey response rates,� but that its use �must be rigorously evaluated and potential impacts on data equity carefully considered as a civil rights issue.�

How Administrative Data Played into the 2020 Census

As administrative data � datasets collected by government agencies and commercial entities typically as a byproduct of nonstatistical activities, such as delivering mail � rises in importance in Census Bureau survey measurement, the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality has released a new report on its use in the 2020 Census.

The Bureau has long used such data to provide �information about individuals, housing units, or businesses, including to aid in data quality analysis, build and update address lists, and produce population estimates.� The 2020 Census relied more on administrative data than ever before to �supplement key components of data collection, data processing, and quality control efforts.� The Center believes that administrative data �will likely play an increasing role in the federal statistical system, in part due to the growing cost of surveys and declining survey response rates,� but that its use �must be rigorously evaluated and potential impacts on data equity carefully considered as a civil rights issue.�

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