The Shape of the 2020 Census

1. The Shape of the 2020
Census
Jim Castagneri
U.S. Census Bureau
Denver

2. Big Changes Coming
 The 2020 census represents the first major
redesign since 1970
 1970 was a breakthrough in utilizing address
lists and the U.S. Post Office for the first time
 We’ve relied upon paper census forms since
then…
 In 1990, TIGER was a revolution in geography
but not the census process

3. Cost and Performance
 Mass mailing paper questionnaires is no
longer affordable or efficient
 A Census conducted using 1970’s technology
would cost upwards of $17 billion dollars
 Using Self-response as the primary
enumeration process, we project to save as
much as $5 billion dollars

4. Some Challenges
 Some will be unable to use new technology
forcing the use of some paper questionnaires
 Delivered by mail for some
 By Census staff for others
 Barriers to Internet use have been resolved
with back-end geospatial technology…
 Where exactly do you live?
 Have you answered the census already?
 Do you need help responding?

5. 2020 Solutions
In-office Canvassing (address listing)
 Review of existing addresses
 Administrative records matching
 US Postal Delivery Sequence Files (DSF)
 GIS data from local governments (through the
Geographic Support System initiative)

6. 2020 Solutions
Self Response (Internet, Telephone, Paper)
 Internet based questionnaire
 Mailed ID cards
 Pre-coded to specific addresses
 Media promotional campaign
 Non-ID response options
 geocoded to specific addresses

7. 2020 Solutions
Administrative Records
 Used to remove vacant housing units from
workloads for non-response field work
 Used as proxy for enumeration for repeated non-
responders
 Trusted State and Federal sources of addresses
used for additional enumeration efforts

8. 2020 Solutions
Mobile technology
 Integrated mapping and Interviewing tool
 Census developed software platform
 Device as a Service
 Similar to public cellphone plans
 Hardware and data plan inclusive

9. Reengineering the Future
Supporting 2020 is the Census Enterprise Data
Collection and Processing effort (CEDCaP)
 An agency-wide retro-fit of the data collection,
processing, and ‘tabulation machine’* of the
Census Bureau
 Will support future surveys and censuses with a
uniform design through shared services and
resources
* A physical device originally invented by Herman Hollerith

11. Thank You!
Jim Castagneri
US Census Bureau
6950 W Jefferson Ave
Lakewood, CO 80235
James.d.castagneri@census.gov