For the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau plans to use administrative records (data that people have already voluntarily given to the federal government) to help improve its results and reduce some door-to-door visits. The Bureau estimated that using these data could save $900 million. While the Bureau has taken a number of steps to validate the information in the administrative record data, it is s...

For the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau originally planned to phase in technology and third-party data sources to build its address list—reducing the need to go door-to-door. The Bureau estimated it could update 75% of its address list this way, reducing costs by $900 million. However, the Bureau has not evaluated the accuracy of its approach, which involves comparing aerial images to data in th...

If you don't return your Census form, a Census taker will interview you in person using a mobile device. To prepare for the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau tested how well this interview process works. Our review of their 2016 tests found many non-interviews—cases where no data or insufficient data were collected. The Bureau is researching potential causes. We also found some cases where better...

The three selected Census Enterprise Data Collection and Processing (CEDCAP) projects (of 12 total) in GAO's review partially met best practices for monitoring and controlling. For example, the projects fully met the best practice of establishing a process for taking corrective actions if issues are identified, but they did not fully meet the practice of identifying significant performance deviati...

Since 2012, the U.S. Census Bureau (Bureau) has taken significant steps to improve its capacity to carry out an effective cost estimate; however, its October 2015 cost estimate for the 2020 Census does not fully reflect characteristics of a high-quality estimate and cannot be considered reliable. To reflect these characteristics, an organization must meet or substantially meet four best practices...

Increased reliance on administrative records—information already provided to the government as it administers other programs—has been discussed since the 1970s as a possible way to improve the quality or reduce the cost of the decennial census, and it may finally play a significant role in the decennial census in 2020. The U.S. Census Bureau (Bureau) estimates that it can save $1.4 billion usi...

Field operations for the 2020 Census are over, and attention now turns to processing the collected data. The Census Bureau reported counting 99.98% of housing units through a combination of self-responses and follow-up outreach. To fill in any gaps in data sources, the Bureau used other data sources—for example from a landlord or neighbor who may not know as much about the household. In addition...

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and related executive branch decisions, the Census Bureau made a series of late changes to the design of the census. These changes affected how the Bureau did its work and how long it took to do the work. The changes also introduced risks to the quality of data that the Bureau provides for apportioning congressional representation among the states. We testified...

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Census Bureau changed the design of the census. After multiple timeline changes, the Bureau ultimately shortened the period for door-to-door follow-up work by 2 weeks and reduced its response processing time from 153 days to 77 days. We note that these changes raise concerns for the quality of the data collected. For example, a shorter follow-up period cou...

We testified about late design changes the Census Bureau has made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including potentially ending data collection 30 days earlier than planned and accelerating its data processing (e.g., quality checks). These compressed timeframes raise a number of issues that will require the Bureau's attention, including: Hiring and retaining enough staff to follow up with peo...

Federal agencies' efforts to acquire IT have often cost more than expected, taken longer, and produced systems that failed to perform. IT acquisitions and operations management has been on our High Risk List since 2015. In this report, we profile 16 critical IT acquisitions, describing risks to their cost and schedule, and more. For example, the FBI plans to spend $1.6 billion over 14 years for co...

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Census Bureau to delay its 2020 operations. But in August, the Bureau announced it will deliver apportionment data by December as required. The Bureau faces compressed timeframes, untested procedures, and public safety challenges to do so. To ensure a complete, accurate census, the Bureau must focus on (among other things): hiring and retaining enough staff to foll...

We testified about key practices for agencies to consider as their workers re-enter the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic or telework for sustained periods during this and other emergencies. These include: Communicating continuously with employees and considering local conditions when making workforce re-entry decisions Ensuring sufficient hygiene supplies like hand sanitizer are available...

This correspondence is our third update on 2020 Census activities and operations. It includes information from our ongoing work on challenges raised by COVID-19. Delays and changes to operations as a result of COVID-19 may threaten the accuracy, timeliness, and cost effectiveness of the count. As operations restart, the Census Bureau will need to consider multiple ways to counter these challenges...

The Census Bureau’s Partnership Program works with local and national organizations and businesses to promote awareness of and participation in the census. The Bureau hired about 1500 temporary employees to help build relationships with these partners. However, we found that the Bureau experienced delays in getting these employees hired and trained. The Bureau has worked to address this and oth...

The Census Bureau began its decennial count of the U.S. population in January 2020. Early operations were generally on schedule—with field staff successfully completing address canvassing for more than 50 million addresses. Ensuring accurate addresses is vital or people may be missed, counted more than once, or included in the wrong location. But, a shortage of staff put the operation at risk o...