Census Bureau cancels key rural test sites ahead of 2030 Count

Need key takeaways

The U.S. Census Bureau has proposed several changes to the 2026 Census Test, including removing testing in rural locations that historically experienced undercounts.  

In response, NACo submitted a joint letter to the Census Bureau with the National League of Cities (NLC), the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) urging the Bureau to reinstate the originally planned testing components.

Why the Census matters for counties 
Counties play a critical and multifaceted role in the decennial census — one that directly shapes the resources and political representation their communities receive for the decade ahead. The census serves essential functions for counties and their residents, including apportioning representation, determining eligibility for federal programs and allocating approximately $600 billion in federal funding each year.

Accurate census data helps ensure counties receive their fair share of funding and representation. In fiscal year 2023 alone, census data guided the distribution of more than $2.24 trillion in federal funding. When communities are undercounted, taxpayers do not see those dollars returned locally, which can reduce resources for public safety, transportation, housing and human services.  

Background 
Every ten years, the federal government conducts the decennial census to count every person living in the United States. This count determines congressional representation and guides the distribution of federal and state funding for the next decade. Strong preparation and testing are critical, especially for rural communities and populations that have historically been undercounted.

The 2020 Census faced structural challenges that were further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mid-decade tests are essential to evaluate new strategies, technology and operations before the next census. The 2026 Census Test is the only planned test this decade, and the current proposal scales back testing in ways that reduce the ability to address known undercount risks.

The proposed changes reduce the number of test locations from six to two and shift the focus of the test toward evaluating new operational approaches, including the use of U.S. Postal Service workers for in-field census work among other changes.

What Changed

• Test Sites Cut from Six to Two: 

  The Census Bureau plans to limit the test to two sites and will no longer test areas that represent key census challenges:rural communities with historically undercounted populations and lower self-response rates, areas with colonias, locations with nonmailable addresses, areas with seasonally vacant housing and communities with little or no reliable cell phone or internet service.

• Test Scope Narrowed:

  The 2006 Census Test will now focus primarily on evaluating whether U.S. Postal Service workers can serve as enumerators during census operations.

• Group Quarters Removed:

  The proposal removes testing for group quarters populations, including colleges and universities, nursing homes, correctional facilities and military barracks.

• English Only Testing:

  The 2006 Census Test will only be conducted in English, unlike prior census tests that included multiple languages.

• National Self Response Sample Eliminated:

  The proposal removes the national self-response testing component. Without this sample, counties and the Census Bureau lose an important tool used to guide outreach, communications and mailing strategies ahead of the 2030 Census.

• Use of a Different Questionnaire:

  Instead of using the prior decade’s decennial census questionnaire for comparability, the Bureau plans to rely on an American Community Survey methodology panel. The American Community Survey takes longer to complete and asks different questions, which may reduce participation and prevent meaningful comparisons with 2020 census performance.

NACo will continue to monitor developments around the 2030 Census to ensure county leaders have the most up-to-date information.

See NACo’s Joint Letter