Concerns Rise Over Cutbacks to 2030 Census Test
The Trump administration has announced significant reductions to this year’s field test of the 2030 census, prompting concerns about the Census Bureau’s ability to generate an accurate population count crucial for political representation and federal funding. Initially intended to include various communities and a national sample across six states, the test will now focus only on two locations: Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Huntsville, Alabama.
Why It Matters
The adjustments to the census test could have far-reaching effects, undermining efforts to ensure a fair and precise tally of the U.S. population. Given that census data guides the allocation of federal resources and congressional representation, any inaccuracies in the count could amplify disparities and disenfranchise certain communities.
Key Developments
- Reduced Test Locations: The Census Bureau will now conduct the 2026 test in only Spartanburg and Huntsville.
- Language Accessibility Cut: Plans to offer the online census test in Spanish and Chinese have been scrapped, leaving it available in English only.
- Staffing Changes: The proposal now includes using U.S. Postal Service employees instead of temporary census workers for the count.
- Cancellation of Broader Participation: Rural communities and Indigenous tribal lands across Texas and the Carolinas have been removed from the testing plan.
- Lack of Communication: The bureau has halted updates to Congress and dissolved committees that provided oversight and guidance, raising alarms about transparency in the process.
Full Report
Recent adjustments by the Census Bureau have drawn criticism from various quarters. Terri Ann Lowenthal, a census consultant and former staff director of a congressional subcommittee focused on population counts, characterized the denser 2026 test plan as disheartening and lacking clarity for the public. This situation, she argues, risks repeating previous census missteps that hinder accurate counts in rural and Indigenous areas.
Notably, this downsizing follows a series of staffing shortages at the bureau, which has seen experienced personnel leave amid efforts to reduce the federal workforce. Delays stemming from funding uncertainties and the lengthy wait for White House approval on outreach strategies for group-living facilities have already complicated preparations for the test.
The proposal to utilize Postal Service staff raises several concerns about its feasibility. A 2011 Government Accountability Office report highlighted that higher-paid postal workers may not provide a cost-effective solution compared to temporary census workers. Despite this, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has advocated for this change, suggesting it could save taxpayer money. Postal Service representatives confirmed their willingness to participate but deferred specifics regarding worker allocations to the Commerce Department.
Context & Previous Events
The revised census testing plan comes after the bureau has faced scrutiny for not informing Congress about its planning strategies. Previous committees that provided recommendations and updates on the census process have also been disbanded, heightening concerns about the adequacy of oversight. More broadly, the 2030 census is significant, as it shapes legislative districts and influences the distribution of federal funds for a decade to come.
