U.S. Dept of Commerce Flags Up Census Concerns

A new report from the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Commerce has highlighted problems with Census data quality due to lower response rates; as well as issues managing and monitoring contractor performance, and meeting deadlines for studies to inform testing for the 2030 survey.

The report, Top Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Commerce in FY 2025 was published in mid-October.

The IG noted that the bureau continues to face lower response rates, reducing data quality, and is attempting to tackle these with a variety of strategies, including use of proxy data or administrative records to gather data on non-responsive households. In an accompanying audit of the bureau's demographic programs directorate, which carries out reimbursable surveys on behalf of other US government agencies, the report said that here also 'data collection targets were not met, with declining response rates affecting each one, and that quality assurance processes were not always followed'.

The IG also said that the Bureau has failed to complete on time studies that could have informed research and testing for the 2030 census, and 'did not prioritize the investigation of a potentially significant innovation'.

Concerns around managing and monitoring contractor performance related in particular to the Bureau's 2020 advertising contract. The IG also drew attention to the Bureau's development of a new suite of systems to consolidate census operations, including all collection, processing and dissemination of data, and said this must be completed in time for the 2030 Census 'dress rehearsal' in April 2028.

The Bureau has responded to all the above points with assurances that procedures are being put in place to ensure deadlines are met, and strategies evaluated to improve response rates.

Web site: www.census.org .