2020 CENSUS: Coverage Errors and Challenges Inform 2030 Plans.

The 2020 Census conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau revealed significant undercounts in certain regions and demographic groups, such as Black or African American, Hispanic persons, young children, and renters. The COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges impacted the accuracy of the census counts, raising concerns about fund allocation and data uses. The Bureau is planning over 50 research projects to improve the design of the 2030 Census, focusing on public engagement, data collection strategies, and operational improvements to address coverage errors and enhance accuracy. Stakeholders have highlighted the importance of mitigating challenges and improving data quality for the upcoming census, with recommendations to enhance resiliency and prioritize evaluating and reporting on data quality. The report is available on the GAO website for further information. [Extracted from the article]