Decennial Census of Population and Housing
Back to all collectionsSummary
The Decennial Census of Population and Housing counts each resident of the United States, where they live on April 1, every ten years ending in zero. The data collected by the decennial census are used to apportion the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.
| Agency | DOC, CENSUS |
|---|---|
| Data Checkup |
Historical Data Availability
No Known Issue
Future Data Availability
No Known Issue
Data Quality
High Risk
A policy implemented by the Department of Commerce in June 2026 limits the tools the Census Bureau can use to protect data privacy. As a result, at a conference in August Census Bureau leadership suggested that the level of detail would need to be reevaluated and likely reduced. In September 2026, the Census Bureau published proposed rules that would no longer count all persons in the U.S. and would prohibit data collection on race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. In addition, critical testing planned for 2026 was scaled back.
Statutory Context
No Known Issue
The Constitution of the United States, Article I, Sections 2 and 9, directs that a census or enumeration be taken. Section 2 states, “The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct." This language is emphasized in Title 13 of U.S. Code.
In 1954, Congress codified earlier census acts and all other statutes authorizing the decennial census into law under Title 13, U.S. Code. Title 13 requires the Census Bureau to notify Congress of the planned subjects for the census no later than three years before that census, and of the specific wording of questions to be asked no later than two years before that census.
Staffing and Funding
Moderate Risk
From FY2024 to FY2026, the Census Bureau has lost more than 2,500 staff (approximately 20%). While the FY27 President's Budget request an increase of about 30% for the Census Bureau, the proposal recommends decreases to many programs and surveys. In May 2026, the House Appropriations committee advanced its version proposing level funding at FY26 funding levels.
Policy
High Risk
A policy implemented by the Department of Commerce in June 2026 limits the tools the Census Bureau can use to protect data privacy. As a result, at a conference in August Census Bureau leadership suggested that the level of detail would need to be reevaluated and likely reduced. The Trump Administration announced a number of changes to the 2026 operational test for the 2030 Decennial Census which can impact the quality of the data, including a reduction in the number of test sites from six to two; the replacement of the decennial short form with the much longer American Community Survey (ACS) questionnaire, with questions reordered so that a question on citizenship appears earlier; and a pilot to evaluate the use of United States Postal Service (USPS) employees in place of trained Census Bureau enumerators.
Last updated: 2026-09-16
Details
| OMB Control Number | 0607-1006 |
|---|---|
| Related ICRs |