The U.S. Census Bureau has released the initial version of its operational plan for the 2030 Census, presenting an overview of the steps and activities required to conduct a comprehensive population and housing count. The document, titled “Baseline 1,” is accompanied by an interactive tool designed to help users explore its contents.
According to the Bureau, the plan outlines several key areas: identifying all addresses where people could live, encouraging participation and collecting data from all living situations, researching census results to understand coverage and quality, preparing and providing census data products, managing operations through disciplined program management practices, developing IT solutions necessary for the census, and providing essential services such as staffing and workspace.
“Baseline 1” builds on methods used in the 2020 Census with additional improvements aimed at increasing efficiency. The Census Bureau notes that research, small-scale testing, and public feedback have informed this version of the plan. Future versions will provide more detailed information as preparations continue.
The Bureau also plans to conduct a major test in 2026 and a dress rehearsal in 2028 before finalizing later iterations of the operational plan. This approach is intended to create an evidence-based design for carrying out the next decennial count.
“The plan documents the initial, high-level design for the next census, outlining the breadth of work needed to conduct and support a quality population and housing count. Future iterations of the plan will describe the work in more detail,” according to a statement from the U.S. Census Bureau.
