The 2020 census will represent a major redesign since 1970, moving from a reliance on paper questionnaires to online and telephone responses. This change aims to make the census more affordable and efficient, with the potential to save $5 billion compared to using 1970s methods. Some households without internet access will still receive paper questionnaires or visits from census staff. New technologies like administrative records and mobile devices integrated with mapping software will help with address listing, self-response, and non-response follow up to reach all households. These changes are part of a larger Census Bureau effort called CEDCaP to modernize data collection, processing, and dissemination for future surveys.

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