The U.S. Census Bureau is researching and testing the integration of operations and systems for the population to exercise its civic obligation to be counted in the 2020 Census. Whether through the internet, telephone, traditional paper questionnaires or in-person visits, the Census Bureau is committed to making the mandatory once-a-decade headcount quick, easy and safe for all to participate.

The 2018 Census Test supported the goal of the 2020 Census, which is to count everyone once, only once and in the right place. As 2020 Census operations move forward, the Census Bureau will continue to improve the use of mobile technology, administrative records, geospatial data and self-response via the internet. The enumeration phase of the 2018 Census Test (self-response, nonresponse follow-up, and group quarters), which took place in Providence County, R.I., has concluded. However, the Census Bureau is continuing to process enumeration responses in order to create the 2018 Prototype P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data File and supporting geographic products. These products will be released between January and March 2019. This test provided insights and guided our planning to ensure an accurate census.

Throughout the decade, the Census Bureau has conducted extensive research and testing to inform census design. The 2018 Census Test was the culmination of that research, providing a rich environment to test all major components of the 2020 Census. The primary objective of the test was to confirm key technologies, data collection methods, outreach and promotional strategies, and management and response processes that will be deployed in support of the 2020 Census.

• To test and validate 2020 Census operations, procedures, systems and field infrastructure to ensure proper integration and conformance with functional and non-functional requirements.
• To produce a prototype of geographic and data products.

We’re changing the way we build our address list. Instead of sending a census worker to walk every street in America, we’ve been using technology and new information sources to update our address list. We have been steadily checking our address list in the office, using new methodologies and data sources. We needed to test our procedures for checking the accuracy of that work on the ground.

The 2018 Census Test also allowed us to validate some assumptions about the challenges we might face in keeping the address list for the 2020 Census updated, complete and accurate. This is one example of how in the 2020 Census, we are making smart use of information technology to streamline our operations.

Address canvassing took place in three locations: Pierce County, WA.; Providence County, R.I.; and the Bluefield-Beckley-Oak Hill, W.Va., area.

• Test new in-office and in-field address canvassing methods.
• Analyze the use of a listing and mapping application on a mobile device during in-field address canvassing.
• Test updates to the Master Address File/Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) system with address and spatial data.
• Study reengineered methods for quality assurance.