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GAO-26-108848 1 (June 4, 2026)

handle is hein.gao/cnsbr0001 and id is 1 raw text is: U.S. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE 441 G St. N.W. Washington, DC 20548 June 4, 2026 The Honorable Gary C. Peters Ranking Member Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs United States Senate The Honorable Andy Kim Ranking Member Subcommittee on Disaster Management, District of Columbia, and Census Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs United States Senate The Honorable James Comer Chairman The Honorable Robert Garcia Ranking Member Committee on Oversight and Government Reform House of Representatives 2030 Census: Census Bureau Needs Additional Data to Inform Design Decisions The Constitution mandates a recurring census for purposes of apportioning political representation among the states within every 10 years. To carry out this mandate, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts the decennial census of the U.S. population. The decennial census also provides vital data for the nation, which are used to redraw congressional districts in each state and allocate hundreds of billions of dollars each year in federal financial assistance, as well as to support many private sector business decisions. The Bureau is well into its 14-year life cycle (2019-2033) for the 2030 decennial census. The Bureau released a preliminary high- level operational plan in July 2025 and is making design and planning decisions that will affect implementation of the 2030 Census. The Bureau is planning several changes for the 2030 Census, including updating its address list on an ongoing basis, expanding its use of administrative and supplemental data from other government agencies, and reducing census field-office infrastructure compared to the 2020 Census. As part of this effort, the Bureau is implementing the 2026 Census Test as the first of two major field tests planned to help the agency examine new methods, processes, and approaches to the census. The purpose of the 2026 Test is to assess the viability of new or revised design elements for the 2030 Census. You asked us to report on a range of topics related to preparations for the 2030 Census. This product constitutes the first in a series on how the Bureau is preparing for the 2030 Census. This report examines (1) the status of preparations, planning decisions, and testing for the 2030 GAO-26-108848 2030 Census Page 1