A successful 2020 Census is dependent on a complete and accurate address list, which is used to reach every living quarters and include the associated population in the census. One of the key components to that address list is the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) operation. Tribes, states, counties, incorporated places, and minor civil divisions (such as townships) may participate in LUCA. Indeed, this is the only opportunity prior to the 2020 Census for these participants to review, comment on, and provide updates to the Census Bureau’s residential address list for their jurisdiction.

The 2020 Census will be the third census with the LUCA operation. Congress passed the Census Address List Improvement Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-430), the basis of LUCA, to expand the methods the Census Bureau uses to exchange information with tribal, state, and local governments in order to support its overall residential address list development and improvement efforts. Census 2000 was its first implementation. The 2010 Census continued the LUCA legacy. Now, as the Census Bureau prepares for the 2020 Census, LUCA is able to take advantage of advances in technology to improve the operation. For the first time, LUCA participants will receive the structure point coordinates indicating the location of each address. LUCA partners will be able to provide non-city style addresses such as rural route addresses as long as they provide a structure coordinate location to accompany the address.

U.S. Code Title 13 is the public law that protects the confidentiality of data the Census Bureau collects from individuals and businesses—including addresses. The 1994 congressional action enabled the Census Bureau to share addresses with local governments, but all of the liaisons, reviewers, and participants for LUCA are required to sign a confidentiality agreement for life and abide by guidelines for keeping data secure.

The LUCA operation began in January 2017 with promotional efforts through mailings, webinars, and presentations. Promotion and outreach to raise awareness of LUCA is important, as LUCA participation is voluntary.

This month the official invitation and registration materials are on their way to each governments’ highest elected official. The deadline to register for LUCA, to let the Census Bureau know the government would like to participate, is December 2017. The active participation phase of the operation begins in February 2018. The Census Bureau will offer several means of participation, both electronic and paper, suited to governments large and small. During the active phase of LUCA, the Census Bureau will support government participation through technical workshops.

A strong LUCA response contributes to the efforts to conduct an accurate decennial count; helps the federal government distribute more than $400 billion in funds annually for infrastructure, programs, and services; and helps communities for their future planning needs.

Visit the 2020 LUCA website: https://www.census.gov/geo/partnerships/luca.html

Contact the Geographic Programs Support Desk
Telephone: Toll-Free – 844-344-0169
Email: GEO.2020.LUCA@census.gov