FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
             WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2001 at 9:30 A.M. (EST)

                                 
Decennial Media Relations                                      CB01-CN.03
301-457-3691/301-457-3620(fax)
301-457-1037 (TDD)
e-mail: 2000usa@census.gov
                                
    Preliminary Estimates Show Improvement in Census 2000 Coverage
                                                             
  The Commerce Department's Census Bureau announced today that preliminary
estimates showed an apparent improvement in the coverage of Census 2000
over 1990, including reductions in the differential undercounts of certain
population groups.

  The Census 2000 preliminary estimate of the undercount rate for the
total population ranges from 0.96 to 1.4 percent. The national undercount
rate in 1990 was 1.6 percent.  Significant reduction occurred in the
undercount rates for non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics. For American
Indians on reservations, the undercount in Census 2000 will be well below
the 12.2 percent figure reported in 1990. Also, while there remains a
difference in coverage rates for owners and renters, the undercount of
renters appears to have been significantly reduced from 1990 to 2000.  
And coverage for children under 18 years old improved notably.  For
American Indians off reservations, Asians, and Native Hawaiians and other
Pacific Islanders, there are no comparable data for 1990.

  The attached tables [pdf] show 1990 net undercount rates and the 
preliminary undercount ranges for Census 2000 for selected population, 
tenure and age groups.

  "This is important news," said William G. Barron, acting director of the
Census Bureau.  "Thanks to the cooperation of the American public, the
more than 500,000 people who worked on Census 2000, a highly successful
advertising campaign and outreach program, and the work of more than
140,000 partners, we think we have results in which the country can be
proud. While these preliminary estimates indicate that there are still
undercounts for some groups, I believe we have taken a significant step
toward improving census accuracy.

  "These preliminary numbers will be refined and evaluated over the next
several weeks and additional refinements will lead to more precise
calculations. In the interest of openness and transparency, we wanted to
share these data because they tell an important story about the accuracy
of Census 2000."

  An Executive Steering Committee for Accuracy and Coverage Evaluation
Policy (ESCAP) composed of 12 Census Bureau career professionals will
recommend by the end of February whether adjustment is technically
feasible and would further improve the accuracy of the counts.

  The estimates released today are based on preliminary tabulations from
the Accuracy and Coverage Evaluation conducted independently of Census
2000. The Accuracy and Coverage Evaluation surveyed 314,000 housing units
across the country and was designed to measure how many people were missed
in the census and how many were erroneously included or double- counted.
 
  The preliminary estimates are based on early tabulations done for the
ESCAP to assist in their analysis.  The ESCAP is still evaluating data and
is on schedule to release its recommendation at the end of the month.  
Additional information and findings will be available when its report is
released.

Prepared Statement by William G. Barron, Acting Director, U.S. Bureau of the 
Census, Before the Subcommittee on the Census, Committee on Government Reform 
U.S. House of Representatives, February 14, 2001.