On June 4, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent, non-partisan agency that conducts research and investigations for Congress, issued a report, “2030 Census: Census Bureau Needs Additional Data to Inform Design Decisions.”
The report is a first in a series that will focus “on the status of preparations, planning decisions, and testing for the 2030 Census, as well as emerging challenges that could affect the Bureau’s approach for the 2030 Census.”
This initial report focuses on the implications of the modified 2026 Census Test. Given its dramatic changes, GAO concludes that “the 2026 Census Test will not produce data on the viability of certain proposed 2030 Census design features as originally envisioned.” To overcome the test’s shortcomings, GAO recommends the Census Bureau:
(1) Research and test the operational activities and design features removed from the 2026 Census Test prior to finalizing its design of the 2030 Census, and
(2) Determine decennial census workforce needs so that the Bureau may address skills gaps in time to effectively manage the 2030 Census.
GAO Issues Report Regarding 2030 Census
On June 4, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent, non-partisan agency that conducts research and investigations for Congress, issued a report, “2030 Census: Census Bureau Needs Additional Data to Inform Design Decisions.”
The report is a first in a series that will focus “on the status of preparations, planning decisions, and testing for the 2030 Census, as well as emerging challenges that could affect the Bureau’s approach for the 2030 Census.”
This initial report focuses on the implications of the modified 2026 Census Test. Given its dramatic changes, GAO concludes that “the 2026 Census Test will not produce data on the viability of certain proposed 2030 Census design features as originally envisioned.” To overcome the test’s shortcomings, GAO recommends the Census Bureau:
(1) Research and test the operational activities and design features removed from the 2026 Census Test prior to finalizing its design of the 2030 Census, and
(2) Determine decennial census workforce needs so that the Bureau may address skills gaps in time to effectively manage the 2030 Census.
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