The Bureau estimates that the 2010 Census will cost $11.3 billion over its  life-cycle, making it the most expensive in the nation’s history. 1). The Bureau Has Taken Steps to Increase Response Rates

The Bureau has reengineered the decennial census, including  implementing new initiatives aimed at increasing the response rate. While the difference  between the long and short form response rates are significant, the Bureau  in its initial assumption for the 2010 Census predicted that conducting a  short-form-only census will yield only a 1-percent increase in the overall  mail response rate. According to Bureau  officials targeted second mailing will be a part of the 2010 Census design. The Bureau’s Plans for Greater Use of Automation and Technology Demand Greater Risk Management

The MCD is a keystone to the reengineered census. It allows the Bureau to  automate operations and eliminate the need to print millions of paper  questionnaires and maps used by census workers to conduct address  canvassing and NRFU, as well as assisting to manage field staff’s payroll. The benefits of using the MCD were tested in the 2004 and 2006 tests. If after the 2008 Dress Rehearsal  the MCD is found not to be reliable, the Bureau could be faced with the  daunting possibility of having to revert to the costly, paper-based census  used in 2000. We reported on the Bureau’s progress in  implementing acquisitions and management capabilities for these  initiatives. The Bureau  expects to spend over $2 billion to employ about 525,000 temporary field  staff for that activity. However, opportunities exist for the Bureau to hone its recruiting efforts  to identify individuals who would be more likely to be effective at census  work and willing to continue working throughout an operation. Field workers we spoke to during the 2006 test noted  two related issues on which they had not received sufficient training— dealing with reluctant respondents and handling location-specific  challenges. Bureau Is Designing Decennial Activities in the Geographic Area Affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

As part of our evaluation of the Bureau’s LUCA dress rehearsal, we visited  the localities along the Gulf Coast to assess the effect the devastation  caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita might have on LUCA and possibly  other operations. 3). It  must also overcome significant challenges of a demographic and  socioeconomic nature due to the nation’s increasing diversity in language,  ethnicity, households, and housing type, as well as an increase in the  reluctance of the population to participate in the census. Yet, there is more that  the Bureau can do in examining and refining its recruiting, hiring, and  training practices and in preparing to enumerate in the hurricane-affected  areas. 2010 Census: Planning and Testing Activities Are Making Progress. 2010 Census: Cost and Design Issues Need to Be Addressed Soon.
Why GAO Did This Study

The decennial census is a Constitutionally-mandated activity that produces data used to apportion congressional seats, redraw congressional districts, and allocate billions of dollars in federal assistance. The Census Bureau (Bureau) estimates the 2010 Census will cost $11.3 billion, making it the most expensive in the nation's history. This testimony discusses the Bureau's progress in preparing for the 2010 Census to (1) implement operations to increase the response rate and control costs; (2) use technology to increase productivity; (3) hire and train temporary staff; and (4) plan an accurate census in areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The testimony is based on previously issued GAO reports and work nearing completion in which GAO observed recruiting, hiring, and training practices in the 2006 test, and visited localities that participated in the Local Update of Addresses Dress Rehearsal as well in the Gulf Coast region.

What GAO Found

The Bureau has made progress towards implementing a re-engineered census design that holds promise for increasing the response rate, thereby controlling the cost of the census while promoting accurate results. The re-engineered design includes a short form only census designed to increase the response rate by about 1 percent and a targeted second mailing, which is expected to increase response by between 7 to 10 percent. Both of these initiatives are new, have been tested, and will be a part of the 2010 Census design. According to Bureau officials, a 1 percent increase in the response rate can save $75 million, making these initiatives critical to the new design. Uncertainty surrounds a keystone to the reengineered census, the mobile computing device (MCD). The MCD allows the Bureau to automate operations and eliminate the need to print millions of paper questionnaires and maps used by census workers to conduct census operations and to assist in managing payroll. The MCD, tested in the 2004 and 2006 census tests, was found to be unreliable. While a contractor has developed a new version of the MCD, the device will not be field tested until next month, leaving little time to correct problems that might emerge during the 2008 Dress Rehearsal. The Bureau faces challenges in recruiting, hiring, and training an estimated 600,000 temporary employees. For example, opportunities exist for the Bureau to hone its recruiting efforts to identify individuals who would be more likely to be effective at census work and willing to work throughout an operation. Also, census workers indicated a need for additional training on reluctant respondents as well as location-specific challenges they encounter. The Bureau must also be prepared to accurately count the population affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Bureau has contacted local officials in the Gulf Area and is developing a plan that includes workshops and special staffing considerations.