Finalizing Plans to Ensure an Effective and Efficient Decennial Census
The results of the 2010 Census are central to apportionment, redistricting congressional boundaries, and distributing around $300 billion in federal aid to states and localities each year. Soon after taking office, the new administration will need to address the significant management and technology challenges facing this complex and costly effort. Early in 2009, the first nationwide field operation of the 2010 Census—address canvassing—is scheduled to begin. During this operation, the Census Bureau will rely, for the first time, on hand-held computers (HHCs) to verify address and map information. However, in March 2008, we designated the decennial census as a high–risk area, in part because of (1) ongoing challenges in managing information technology (IT)—including the hand–held computers, which have experienced memory overloads and other technical issues; and (2) uncertainty over the total cost of the decennial census (now estimated to cost between $13.7 billion and $14.5 billion). The Census Bureau is strengthening its oversight of IT management activities, and in December 2008, the Bureau conducted an operational field test of the systems and software used for address canvassing, including the HHCs. Initial test results appear to be encouraging. However, more information is needed to determine the Bureau's overall readiness for address canvassing as the test was not an end–to–end systems evaluation, did not validate all address canvassing requirements, and did not assess procedures or training.
- High-Risk Series: An Update
- GAO-09-271, January 22, 2009
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 99 pages) Accessible Text
- 2010 Census: The Bureau's Plans for Reducing the Undercount Show Promise, but Key Uncertainties Remain
- GAO-08-1167T, September 23, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 24 pages) Accessible Text
- 2010 Census: Census Bureau Should Take Action to Improve the Credibility and Accuracy of Its Cost Estimate for the Decennial Census
- GAO-08-554, June 16, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 42 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- 2010 Census: Plans for Decennial Census Operations and Technology Have Progressed, But Much Uncertainty Remains
- GAO-08-886T, June 11, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 16 pages) Accessible Text
- Information Technology: Significant Problems of Critical Automation Program Contribute to Risks Facing 2010 Census
- GAO-08-550T, March 5, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 26 pages) Accessible Text
More Reports
- 2010 Census: Communications Campaign Has Potential to Boost Participation
- GAO-09-525T, March 23, 2009
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 18 pages) Accessible Text
- 2010 Census: Fundamental Building Blocks of a Successful Enumeration Face Challenges
- GAO-09-430T, March 5, 2009
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 22 pages) Accessible Text
- 2010 Census: Little Time Remains to Address Operational Challenges
- GAO-09-408T, March 5, 2009
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 21 pages) Accessible Text
- Information Technology: Census Bureau Testing of 2010 Decennial Systems Can Be Strengthened
- GAO-09-262, March 5, 2009
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 39 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- Information Technology: Census Bureau Testing of 2010 Decennial Systems Can Be Strengthened
- GAO-09-414T, March 5, 2009
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 12 pages) Accessible Text
- Information Technology: Census Bureau Needs to Strengthen Testing of 2010 Decennial Systems
- GAO-09-413T, March 5, 2009
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 12 pages) Accessible Text
- 2010 Census: Census Bureau Needs Procedures for Estimating the Response Rate and Selecting for Testing Methods to Increase Response Rate
- GAO-08-1012, September 30, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 53 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- 2010 Census: The Bureau's Plans for Reducing the Undercount Show Promise, but Key Uncertainties Remain
- GAO-08-1167T, September 23, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 24 pages) Accessible Text
- 2010 Census: Census Bureau's Decision to Continue with Handheld Computers for Address Canvassing Makes Planning and Testing Critical
- GAO-08-936, July 31, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 35 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- 2010 Census: Census Bureau Should Take Action to Improve the Credibility and Accuracy of Its Cost Estimate for the Decennial Census
- GAO-08-554, June 16, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 42 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- 2010 Census: Plans for Decennial Census Operations and Technology Have Progressed, But Much Uncertainty Remains
- GAO-08-886T, June 11, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 16 pages) Accessible Text
- 2010 Census: Bureau Needs to Specify How It Will Assess Coverage Follow-up Techniques and When It Will Produce Coverage Measurement Results
- GAO-08-414, April 15, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 55 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- 2010 Census: Census at Critical Juncture for Implementing Risk Reduction Strategies
- GAO-08-685T, April 15, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 17 pages) Accessible Text
- Census 2010: Census at Critical Juncture for Implementing Risk Reduction Strategies
- GAO-08-659T, April 9, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 16 pages) Accessible Text
- Information Technology: Significant Problems of Critical Automation Program Contribute to Risks Facing 2010 Census
- GAO-08-550T, March 5, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 26 pages) Accessible Text
- 2010 Census: Population Measures Are Important for Federal Funding Allocations
- GAO-08-230T, October 29, 2007
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 13 pages) Accessible Text
- Information Technology: Census Bureau Needs to Improve Its Risk Management of Decennial Systems
- GAO-08-79, October 5, 2007
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 46 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- 2010 Census: Diversity in Human Capital, Outreach Efforts Can Benefit the 2010 Census
- GAO-07-1132T, July 26, 2007
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 21 pages) Accessible Text
- 2010 Census: Preparations for the 2010 Census Underway, but Continued Oversight and Risk Management Are Critical
- GAO-07-1106T, July 17, 2007
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 24 pages) Accessible Text
- 2010 Census: Census Bureau Is Making Progress on the Local Update of Census Addresses Program, but Improvements Are Needed
- GAO-07-1063T, June 26, 2007
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 14 pages) Accessible Text
- 2010 Census: Census Bureau Has Improved the Local Update of Census Addresses Program, but Challenges Remain
- GAO-07-736, June 14, 2007
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 60 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- 2010 Census: Census Bureau Should Refine Recruiting and Hiring Efforts and Enhance Training of Temporary Field Staff
- GAO-07-361, April 27, 2007
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 66 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- 2010 Census: Design Shows Progress, but Managing Technology Acquisitions, Temporary Field Staff, and Gulf Region Enumeration Require Attention
- GAO-07-779T, April 24, 2007
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 26 pages) Accessible Text
- 2010 Census: Redesigned Approach Holds Promise, but Census Bureau Needs to Annually Develop and Provide a Comprehensive Project Plan to Monitor Costs
- GAO-06-1009T, July 27, 2006
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 21 pages) Accessible Text
- 2010 Census: Census Bureau Needs to Take Prompt Actions to Resolve Long-standing and Emerging Address and Mapping Challenges
- GAO-06-272, June 15, 2006
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 43 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- 2010 Census: Costs and Risks Must be Closely Monitored and Evaluated with Mitigation Plans in Place
- GAO-06-822T, June 6, 2006
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 24 pages) Accessible Text
- 2010 Census: Census Bureau Generally Follows Selected Leading Acquisition Planning Practices, but Continued Management Attention Is Needed to Help Ensure Success
- GAO-06-277, May 18, 2006
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 52 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- 2010 Census: Planning and Testing Activities Are Making Progress
- GAO-06-465T, March 1, 2006
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 22 pages) Accessible Text
- Census Bureau: Important Activities for Improving Management of Key 2010 Decennial Acquisitions Remain to be Done
- GAO-06-444T, March 1, 2006
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 76 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
- 2010 Census: Basic Design Has Potential, but Remaining Challenges Need Prompt Resolution
- GAO-05-9, January 12, 2005
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 48 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)