The Census Project is urging the U.S. Census Bureau to reconsider proposed changes to the 2030 Census that could fundamentally alter how the nation’s population is counted and undermine the accuracy of census data.
In comments submitted October 20, the codirectors of The Census Project warned that the proposed rule “would unravel centuries of standard practices that have defined decennial census operations and undermine the quality and accuracy of its data.”
The Census Project is a coalition of more than 800 national, state, and local organizations and companies in the public, private, nonprofit and research sectors dedicated to the funding and support of the decennial census and American Community Survey (ACS).
Among other things, the proposal would:
- Redefine who is counted and where, changing longstanding census residence criteria;
- Replace the traditional April 1 Census Day reference point with a three-month window for determining usual residence, involving “potentially-complicated math on the part of respondents”; and
- Eliminate race and ethnicity questions, which have appeared in some form in every U.S. census since 1790.
Codirectors Mary Jo Mitchell and Howard Fienberg cautioned that, “Changes of this magnitude have the potential to drastically alter how the 2030 Census is conducted as well as its outcome,” with direct implications for congressional apportionment and the allocation of more than $2 trillion in annual federal funding.
While members of The Census Project have submitted detailed comments addressing various aspects of the proposal, they share serious concerns about its consequences for the accuracy, reliability, and comparability of census data.
The Census Project’s comments also expressed concern about the limited opportunity for public scrutiny, stating, “While we appreciate the extended comment period, it is still insufficient given the rule’s potential consequences.”
Ultimately, The Census Project codirectors urged the Census Bureau to reconsider the proposal, emphasizing that “The proposed changes would fundamentally change the nature of the nation’s decennial census and, therefore, it deserves more thoughtful, robust consideration.”
The rule remains open for public comment until November 2, 2026.
- Comment from codirectors of The Census Project, October 20, 2026.
https://thecensusproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Census-Project-Comments-on-Decennial-Census-Residence-Criteria-10-20-26.pdf
