The U.S. Census Bureau has released the initial version of its operational plan for the 2030 Census, offering a broad overview of the steps and strategies it will use to conduct the nationwide population and housing count.
The document, referred to as “Baseline 1,” lays out several key activities. These include identifying all addresses where people may reside, encouraging public participation in responding to the census, collecting and processing data from households and individuals in varied living situations, and analyzing results to understand coverage and quality. The plan also covers preparing and distributing census data products, applying disciplined program management practices, managing IT solutions needed for census operations, and providing necessary staffing and infrastructure.
According to the Census Bureau, this first version builds on methods used during the 2020 Census while aiming for greater efficiency. The plan incorporates findings from recent research, small-scale tests, and public feedback. Future versions are expected to provide more detail as planning progresses.
Testing will continue ahead of 2030 with a planned Census Test in 2026 followed by a full dress rehearsal in 2028. This iterative approach is intended to help develop an evidence-based design for conducting the next decennial count.
“Baseline 1 builds upon the successes of the 2020 Census, with further improvements to increase efficiencies. The plan incorporates research, small-scale testing and public feedback to date. The Census Bureau is set to carry out the 2026 Census Test and 2028 Census Dress Rehearsal to inform subsequent, more detailed versions of the plan. This iterative approach will give the Census Bureau an evidence-based design for the 2030 Census.”
The agency has also introduced an interactive tool that allows stakeholders to explore details of this operational plan.
