On July 26, the 2030 Census Advisory Committee convened its inaugural meeting. Census Bureau Director Robert Santos and Deputy Director Ron Jarmin welcomed the committee and provided an update on topics, including the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations process and the Bureau�s recent selection of sites for the 2026 Census Test. The 2026 Test, which will be the first of two major on-the-ground tests in preparation for the 2030 Census, will be held in six sites nationwide, providing the Bureau with an opportunity �to explore innovative technologies and methodologies.�
During the meeting, Committee members, who include The Census Project Co-Director Mary Jo H. Mitchell, received presentations from Census Bureau senior officials on three major topics: future of the Master Address File/Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) System; planning for 2030 Census outreach; and, the 2026 Census Test Ethnographic Study. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Committee issued numerous recommendations, including:
- The Bureau should develop a comprehensive research-informed strategy to address the undercount of young children from historically underrepresented populations.
- The Bureau should use the 2026 Census Test Ethnographic Study to inform a more robust qualitative research agenda for 2030 and beyond that includes long-term, deep, community participatory research focused on eliminating racial and ethnic undercounts.
- The Bureau should work with interested tribal, state, and local partners to provide early (mid-decade) access to the Master Address File, where such collaborations could provide insight into the nuances of hidden housing units in respective localities.
The agenda, presenters� slides, and a recording of the meeting are available on the 2030 Census Advisory Committee home page. The Committee is currently scheduled to meet again (in person) on October 17-18, 2024.
2030 Census Advisory Committee Convenes Inaugural Meeting
On July 26, the 2030 Census Advisory Committee convened its inaugural meeting. Census Bureau Director Robert Santos and Deputy Director Ron Jarmin welcomed the committee and provided an update on topics, including the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations process and the Bureau�s recent selection of sites for the 2026 Census Test. The 2026 Test, which will be the first of two major on-the-ground tests in preparation for the 2030 Census, will be held in six sites nationwide, providing the Bureau with an opportunity �to explore innovative technologies and methodologies.�
During the meeting, Committee members, who include The Census Project Co-Director Mary Jo H. Mitchell, received presentations from Census Bureau senior officials on three major topics: future of the Master Address File/Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) System; planning for 2030 Census outreach; and, the 2026 Census Test Ethnographic Study. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Committee issued numerous recommendations, including:
- The Bureau should develop a comprehensive research-informed strategy to address the undercount of young children from historically underrepresented populations.
- The Bureau should use the 2026 Census Test Ethnographic Study to inform a more robust qualitative research agenda for 2030 and beyond that includes long-term, deep, community participatory research focused on eliminating racial and ethnic undercounts.
- The Bureau should work with interested tribal, state, and local partners to provide early (mid-decade) access to the Master Address File, where such collaborations could provide insight into the nuances of hidden housing units in respective localities.
The agenda, presenters� slides, and a recording of the meeting are available on the 2030 Census Advisory Committee home page. The Committee is currently scheduled to meet again (in person) on October 17-18, 2024.
Our Insights
Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI-07) introduced the Make It Count Act
04/14/2026
Our Insights
The Census Counts campaign recently released a new Roadmap to
04/02/2026
Our Insights
To assist the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in
03/27/2026
View all Related