Census Redefines Where You Live for 2030 Headcount
Published Date: 9/10/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Census Bureau is proposing to add two new parts to the Code of Federal Regulations governing the decennial census of population and housing. First, the Census Bureau is proposing to add a part outlining the residence criteria used for identifying each person's "usual residence," as needed to determine whether and where to count them in the census of the population throughout the United States. Second, the Census Bureau is proposing to add a part establishing standards and restrictions for the inclusion of certain demographic questions on the decennial census short-form questionnaire and any other questionnaire used for the enumeration of the population. The Census Bureau is considering these two additions to better prioritize and fulfill its Constitutional mandate to count for apportionment the "whole number of persons in each State" based on the concept of "usual residence"--a process that factors in an element of allegiance but otherwise should be colorblind and should not be distorted in any way by questions about immaterial personal characteristics, such as race. Although these two parts are somewhat related and complementary, each is being proposed independently based on its own merits. These proposals are intended to ensure fidelity to the Constitution, improve and protect the core decennial census data, and promote efficiency.
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 7 mixed.
New definition of "usual residence"
The Census Bureau would define a person's "usual residence" as the place where they lawfully spent the greatest number of days during the census enumeration period running from January 3 to April 1. A day counts if you were lawfully and physically present for at least one hour, and the Bureau may use tax records (for example, tax returns or W-2s) as evidence of your usual residence.
Non-citizen non-LPRs excluded from apportionment
The proposal says that foreign citizens who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents as of April 1 of a decennial census year are not counted for apportionment purposes.
Expanded use of administrative records
The Census Bureau proposes to rely heavily on administrative records (for example, Treasury, DHS, State Department, USPS, and other federal, state, local, tribal, and commercial data) and data-linkage to determine people's usual residence and legal status. The Bureau also invites comments on adding a legal-status question to the short-form questionnaire.
Race/ethnicity/sexual-orientation questions banned
The proposal would prohibit any question about race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation from appearing on the decennial census short-form or any questionnaire used for the enumeration. Only questions about biological sex, date of birth, and household relationships may appear on the short form.
Limits on publishing demographic data
The Census Bureau would not disclose or publish any individual demographic data if doing so would require introducing uncertainty into the population count data at the national or state level. The Bureau will prioritize accurate population counts for apportionment (subject to confidentiality law).
People in correctional facilities counted at facility
Persons confined at correctional or detention facilities, including juvenile facilities, are counted at the facility for the decennial census.
Military and overseas personnel counting rules
The proposal specifies that U.S. military and certain civilian federal employees deployed outside the U.S. on April 1 who are assigned from the United States will be counted as part of the U.S. federally affiliated overseas population, whereas military or civilian employees deployed outside but stationed or assigned in the U.S. (i.e., deployed temporarily) are counted at their U.S. usual residence using tax and administrative records. U.S. military personnel inside the U.S. are counted at their usual residence, except those in military disciplinary barracks or jails who are counted at the facility.
How dependents are counted
Dependents who have a consistent usual residence separate from their provider(s) during the census enumeration period are counted at that separate residence; all other dependents are counted at the usual residence of their provider(s) where they spend the most days during January 3 to April 1.
Babies and deaths around Census Day
Babies born on or before Census Day (April 1) are counted at their parent(s)' or guardian(s)' usual residence where they will spend the most days during January 3 to April 1; babies born after April 1 are not counted. Persons who die before April 1 are not counted; persons who die on or after April 1 are counted at their usual residence as of April 1.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-18304, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Business Trends and Outlook Survey
2026-18176, Current Mandatory Business Surveys
The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) will conduct the following current three mandatory business surveys in 2026: (1) Annual Integrated Economic Survey; (2) Annual Business Survey; and (3) Business and Professional Classification Report. We have determined that data collected from these surveys are needed to aid the efficient performance of essential governmental functions and have significant application to the needs of the public and industry. The data derived from these surveys, most of which have been conducted for many years, are not publicly available from nongovernmental or other governmental sources.
2026-14513, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories and Orders (M3) Survey
The Census Bureau wants to keep collecting monthly info from U.S. manufacturers about their shipments, inventories, and orders through the M3 survey. They’re asking the public to share thoughts by September 18, 2026, before they get final approval. This helps keep the data flowing without adding extra hassle or cost to businesses.
2026-14554, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for Internet Panel Pretesting and Qualitative Survey Methods Testing
The Census Bureau wants to keep testing online surveys and internet panels to make sure their questions work well and don’t waste your time. They’re asking for your thoughts by September 18, 2026, before getting final approval. This helps keep surveys smart, quick, and less annoying for everyone involved, with no extra cost or big time changes.
2026-14512, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions
The Census Bureau wants to keep running its Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions for three more years and is asking the public to share their thoughts by September 18, 2026. This survey helps track new home building and sales, affecting builders, buyers, and policymakers. No big changes or costs are planned, just a smooth continuation to keep housing data fresh and useful.
2026-13801, Age Search Fee Structure
Starting August 7, 2026, the Census Bureau is raising the Age Search fee from $65 to $155 and the rush fee from $20 to $50. This service helps people get official proof of their age from old census records, especially if they don’t have a birth certificate. These changes cover the real costs of processing requests, which haven’t been updated since 2004.
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