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2026 Census Test
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About the Test
The 2026 Census Test will be the first of two major on-the-ground tests we conduct in preparation for the 2030 Census.
All major tests require logistical commitment, such as dedicated office space and staff, that helps us evaluate how well the innovations we are planning will perform.
We will conduct the test in six sites and also include a nationally representative self-response testing component.
As we prepare for the 2030 Census, conducting testing like the 2026 Census Test gives us the opportunity to explore innovative technologies and methodologies to enhance our work to conduct a complete and accurate count of the nation.
Summer 2025: Outreach begins raising awareness in the test sites about the importance of participating.
Fall 2025: Recruiting begins for temporary census jobs in the test sites.
Spring 2026: Public begins responding to the 2026 Census Test.
Census Day, April 1, 2026: Participants are asked to respond based on where they live as of this date.
Summer 2026: 2026 Census Test concludes.
Test Sites
The 2026 Census Test will be conducted in six sites. These sites provide optimal opportunities to implement all the changes and enhancements planned for the test, under real conditions, and on a larger scale than research simulations allow.
Together, these sites will enable us to test the improvements we’re designing in our efforts to get a complete count of hard-to-count and historically undercounted populations.
Download Site Maps and Learn More
View demographic, social and economic data about each test site. Download maps showing test site boundaries and access fact sheets about the test.
How We Selected Test Sites
The Census Bureau used a rigorous, data-driven process to select the sites for the 2026 Census Test.
First, we reviewed the requirements for each element we are planning to test. This allowed us to identify the conditions, characteristics, and specifications that we would need in the selected locations in order to test each element most effectively.
Then, we developed four main sets of criteria that cover geography, living quarters, staffing, and technical characteristics of the test sites.
Finally, we conducted a rigorous, data-driven analysis into possible sites using an in-house tool that contains protected Title 13 household and geographic data from censuses, Census Bureau surveys and publicly available data to identify sites that meet the criteria, while also meeting available budget, systems, and other resource constraints.
This table is a summary of how the testing criteria are distributed across the six sites.
Nation-Wide Self-Response Testing
In addition to the test activities in the six sites, the 2026 Census Test includes a separate national sample. We will mail materials to this nationally representative sample of households, inviting them to respond to the test online, by phone or by mail.
This builds upon the Census Bureau’s ongoing small-scale testing and will help the Census Bureau improve the 2030 Census online questionnaire and invitation materials. It will also provide insight on self-response rate trends, which will inform 2030 Census planning for field infrastructure, communications and other operations.
Watch our webinar to learn more about each test site and how they were selected.
What We Are Testing
The 2026 Census Test will study changes in six operational areas:
Self-Response
In-Field Enumeration
Group Quarters Enumeration
Communications, Partnerships, and Engagement
Cross Operational Support and Infrastructure
Near Real-Time Response Processing
These operational areas are being studied to ensure the operational viability of the new and enhanced processes and methods proposed for the 2030 Census.
Watch our webinar for additional insights into the innovations we are testing.
We Are Focused on Hard-To-Count and Historically Undercounted Populations
Four of the six operational areas in our 2026 Census Test have proposed changes designed to directly or indirectly help us enumerate hard-to-count and historically undercounted populations.
The testing site locations would also enable us to implement and evaluate our planned improvements to how we enumerate hard-to-count and historically undercounted populations under real conditions.
We will explore new and improved ways to build trust and increase participation as part of our focus on accurately enumerating these populations during the next census.
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Random Samplings BlogUnderstanding Hard-to-Count and Historically Undercounted PopulationsIn a world driven by data, accurate population counts form the foundation for informed decision-making.
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Director's BlogResearch Will Help Enumerate Undercounted People in the 2030 CensusThe Census Bureau conducts research to develop better methods to reach and collect data from the historically hard to count.
Related Resources
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2030 Census Webinar SeriesThe 2030 Census webinar series provides updates and lays the groundwork for key components of preparations for the 2030 Census.
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2030 Census Research and TestingThe Census Bureau is conducting research and testing to inform our decisions about the 2030 Census operational design.
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2030 CensusPlanning is currently underway for the 2030 Census, the 25th population count in U.S. history.
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Press Kit2026 Census Test Press KitThe 2026 Census Test is one of two major field tests the Census Bureau will hold leading up to the 2030 Census.
Page Last Revised - October 24, 2024
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