Per a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), results from the Census Bureau’s Post-Enumeration Survey (PES), which assesses the accuracy of its census counts using an independent process, “showed that some states and demographic groups (i.e., populations by characteristics such as race and age) were under- or overcounted in 2020. GAO has previously reported on the long-standing problem of coverage errors for various population groups. GAO was asked to report on the Bureau’s efforts to assess accuracy of the 2020 Census. This report describes (1) Bureau assessments of the 2020 Census population counts and how they compare to previous censuses; (2) potential causes and implications of coverage errors in the 2020 Census; and (3) steps the Bureau and census stakeholders identified to improve the accuracy of the 2030 Census.”
“As of October 2024, the Bureau had plans for over 50 research projects and other efforts to inform the design of the 2030 Census. GAO identified examples of projects and related efforts that leverage insights from 2020 Census coverage challenges to improve accuracy in the 2030 Census across four categories: (1) public engagement, (2) use of data collected by governments while administering programs, (3) Post-Enumeration Survey design, and (4) operations. For example, the Bureau has planned projects to improve data collection to address challenges with counting people in group quarters like prisons and college dormitories.”
GAO Report Provides Recommendations to Improve Accuracy in 2030 Census
Per a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), results from the Census Bureau’s Post-Enumeration Survey (PES), which assesses the accuracy of its census counts using an independent process, “showed that some states and demographic groups (i.e., populations by characteristics such as race and age) were under- or overcounted in 2020. GAO has previously reported on the long-standing problem of coverage errors for various population groups. GAO was asked to report on the Bureau’s efforts to assess accuracy of the 2020 Census. This report describes (1) Bureau assessments of the 2020 Census population counts and how they compare to previous censuses; (2) potential causes and implications of coverage errors in the 2020 Census; and (3) steps the Bureau and census stakeholders identified to improve the accuracy of the 2030 Census.”
“As of October 2024, the Bureau had plans for over 50 research projects and other efforts to inform the design of the 2030 Census. GAO identified examples of projects and related efforts that leverage insights from 2020 Census coverage challenges to improve accuracy in the 2030 Census across four categories: (1) public engagement, (2) use of data collected by governments while administering programs, (3) Post-Enumeration Survey design, and (4) operations. For example, the Bureau has planned projects to improve data collection to address challenges with counting people in group quarters like prisons and college dormitories.”
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