The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) annually to collect information about selected legally defined geographic areas. The BAS is used to update information about the legal boundaries and names of all governmental units in the United States. The Census Bureau uses the boundary information collected in the BAS to tabulate data for various censuses and surveys, such as the American Community Survey and other Census Bureau programs, such as the Population Estimates Program.
2009 BAS materials will be mailed in December 2008 and January 2009 to all federally recognized American Indian areas, governmental counties (and equivalent areas), incorporated places, consolidated cities, and governmental Minor Civil Divisions (MCDs). For several years, the Census Bureau has sent an Advance Response (AR) letter and form to all entities asking whether or not they had boundary changes and would like to receive BAS materials. Since all entities will receive 2009 BAS materials, AR letters will not be sent to participants in conjunction with the 2009 BAS.
Responses to the 2009 BAS must be received by the Census Bureau before March 1st, 2009 to be included in the Population Estimates Program, the American Community Survey and the 2010 BAS. This deadline is one month earlier than in past years.
The links below provide detailed information about the 2009 BAS for participants and other interested parties. Links to other Census Bureau programs and surveys are listed under "Related Program Links".
ScheduleThis link provides a list of key dates in the 2009 BAS.
Response MethodsThis link provides information on ways in which participants can respond to the 2009 BAS.
Materials (forms, letters, postcards, respondent guides) for:
Counties, Minor Civil Division (MCDs), and Places
American Indian Areas
Counties, MCDs, and Places
American Indian Areas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
County Consolidation AgreementsThis link provides information about establishing a county consolidation agreement.
State CertificationThis link provides information about the state certification program, and how it relates to BAS.
Data Links
2008 New Incorporations (Coming Soon)
American Indian Entities and Codes [Excel] [Text]
BAS Entities and Codes [Text]
BAS Entities Summarized by State & Type (County, Place, MCD) (Coming Soon)
American Community Survey
Census Bureau FIPS Page
Census Bureau Geographic Programs
Geographically Updated Population Certification Program (GUPCP)
Population Estimates Program
Special Census Program
Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA)
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