Census Test Begins Recruiting Workers Amid Delays Concerns
The U.S. Census Bureau announced Monday that it has started recruiting workers for a major field test in six states, as some experts warn about potential delays in the 2030 census.
About 1,500 temporary workers will be hired to participate in the "2026 Census Test" in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. The test aims to develop better methods for counting historically undercounted populations, such as children under 5, people of color, and renters.
The Census Bureau received a temporary exemption from President Trump's freeze on hiring federal civilian workers to conduct the test. "This is an important step in ensuring that we have accurate and complete population counts," said Dr. Steven Dillingham, the Census Bureau's director, in a statement.
The 2026 Census Test will help the bureau identify areas where improvements are needed for the next census. The test will also provide an opportunity to develop new technologies and methods for collecting data.
Some experts have expressed concerns about potential delays in the 2030 census due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the Trump administration's freeze on hiring federal workers. "The delay in hiring temporary workers could lead to a significant undercount, especially among marginalized communities," said Dr. Sylvia Allegretto, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley.
The Census Bureau has faced criticism in the past for its handling of the 2020 census, which was delayed due to the pandemic and resulted in an estimated 4% undercount of the population.
In addition to the test sites, some people living outside of these areas may also receive invitations to participate. The bureau will use a combination of door-to-door visits and online surveys to collect data during the test.
The Census Bureau plans to begin conducting the test in January 2026 and will continue through March 2026. The results of the test will be used to inform the development of new methods for collecting data for the 2030 census.
As the world's leading democracies rely on accurate population counts for informed decision-making, the success of the 2030 census is crucial. The U.S. Census Bureau must navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic and ensure that it has sufficient resources to conduct a fair and accurate count.
*Reporting by Npr.*
