Census Bureau Ends Fast-Track for Post-2020 Boundary Population Updates
Published Date: 4/4/2025
Notice
Summary
The Census Bureau is changing its Geographically Updated Population Certification Program by removing the fast-track option for updated population and housing counts tied to new government boundaries. This fee-based service, restarted in January 2024, helps governments get fresh 2020 Census data when boundaries change after the census. If you’re a local government, expect standard processing times and plan accordingly—no more speedy updates!
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
No More Expedited Census Updates
If you are a government that requests updated 2020 Census population and housing counts when your legal boundaries change, the Census Bureau removed the expedited (fast-track) processing option for that service. The Geographically Updated Population Certification Program is a fee-based service that was reinstated on January 1, 2024, and it issues certifications for boundary updates that became legally effective after the 2020 Census (after January 1, 2020); governments should expect standard processing times instead of fast-track handling.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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2026-18481, Decennial Census of the Population of Americans; Proposed Residence Criteria and Proposed Regulations for Demographic Questions
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