Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; 2026 Census Test-Peak Data Collection
Published Date: 1/10/2025
Notice
Summary
The Census Bureau is gearing up for the 2026 Census Test, a smaller practice run to help get ready for the big 2030 Census. They’re asking the public to share thoughts on their plan by March 11, 2025, to make sure the data collection is smooth and not too much work for folks. This test affects anyone who might be counted and helps improve how the Census collects info without costing extra money right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Participation Is Mandatory
If you are selected for the 2026 Census Test, responding is mandatory under Title 13, U.S. Code, Sections 141, 193, and 221. The test counts people as of Census Day (April 1, 2026) and applies to individuals, households, and not‑for‑profit institutions.
Estimated Time Burden and Respondent Counts
The Census Bureau estimates 631,850 total respondents for the 2026 Census Test and a total annual burden of 103,502 hours. Per-response estimates include 370,000 self-response cases at 10 minutes each and 223,000 in-field enumeration cases at 10 minutes each.
You Can Respond Online, Phone, Or Mail
For the 2026 Census Test you can respond online (Internet Self-Response), by phone (Census Questionnaire Assistance), or by mail (paper questionnaires). The test allows 'Non‑ID' online responses where you may enter an address instead of a Census ID and the Centralized Decennial Address Control (CDAC) system will attempt to match it.
Selected Reinterviews for Quality Assurance
Some self-response cases and in‑field interviews will be reinterviewed as part of Quality Assurance (QA) to check data quality and detect potential falsification. QA reinterviews will use automated instruments and selected households may be recontacted for confirmation.
New Online Options for Group Quarters
For people living in group quarters on Census Day (April 1, 2026), the 2026 Census Test introduces Group Quarters Internet Self-Response (GQ ISR). GQ administrators may upload resident email addresses so each resident receives a secure link, or field staff may leave invitation letters with a Census ID and QR code for residents to respond online.
Mobile Events to Help Hard‑to‑Count Areas
The Census Bureau will host Mobile Questionnaire Assistance (MQA) events with community partners to help people, especially in hard‑to‑count or undercounted communities, respond online, by phone, or on paper. The Bureau will use a data‑driven approach to choose MQA event locations and will provide devices, QR codes, and staff assistance at events.
Where The 2026 Test Will Happen
The 2026 Census Test will take place in six continental U.S. sites: Western Texas (Brewster, Jeff Davis, Pecos, Presidio counties — TX), Tribal lands within Arizona (Fort Apache and San Carlos Reservations — AZ), Colorado Springs, CO, Western North Carolina (Cherokee, Graham, Jackson, Swain counties, and the Qualla Boundary — NC), Spartanburg, SC, and Huntsville, AL. These locations were chosen to support testing of online response, in‑person enumeration, group quarters methods, outreach, and operational infrastructure.
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Key Dates
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