Planning under way for 2030 US census

The agency will use both small-scale testing and major field tests to prepare for the census, saying that the former allows researchers to quickly test methodologies and systems to determine whether they need additional, more extensive field testing.

The Census Bureau will conduct its first major field test on 1^st April 2026 and its second on 1^st April 2028.

The first will trial systems and methods to ensure feasibility and cohesive design, and will collect data for future response and cost models for census operations.

The 2028 test will act as a dry run of operations and will be the Bureau’s last chance to refine processes before implementing them for the census two years later.

The agency has also established an online tool ‘2030 Census Research Project Explorer’ to allow the public to access information about the research projects it is carrying out around the census, including the questions its researchers are trying to answer.

Robert L. Santos, Census Bureau director, said: “The Census Bureau has a long track record of innovation and these plans continue that legacy by using research projects and ongoing testing to put those innovations into the field for 2030.”