2000 Census

In 1994, Congress required the Census Bureau to give local and tribal governments more input into the Bureau's process for developing address lists. The Bureau's local addresses review program gives local and tribal governments the opportunity to review the accuracy and completeness of the Bureau's address information for their respective jurisdictions and to suggest corrections, when warranted. The program is important because a high-quality census begins with an accurate list of addresses and precise maps. Together, they help ensure that (1) questionnaires are properly delivered, (2) unnecessary and costly follow-up efforts at vacant or nonexistent residences are reduced, and (3) the correct portions of the population are counted in the proper locations--the basis of congressional reapportionment and redistricting. A GAO survey found that the Bureau invited nearly 16,700 local governments to participate in the program in 1998. As of August 1999, 40 percent of these local governments had returned materials to the Bureau. The Bureau does not know whether the other jurisdictions (1) did not review the census address list or (2) did review the list and decided not to respond. Local governments suggested 7.74 million changes to the Bureau's address list, of which about 5.4 million were suggested additions. The results of GAO's survey suggest that many local governments appear to be satisfied with the quality of the materials and the assistance that the Bureau provided. However, several jurisdictions rated these items and the availability of local resources to review program materials less favorably.

GAO noted that: (1) the Bureau invited nearly 16,675 local governments to participate in the LUCA 1998; (2) of these, 6,673 (40 percent) returned material to the Bureau as of August 1999; (3) the remaining jurisdictions did not provide the Bureau with any input; (4) the Bureau does not know whether these jurisdictions: (a) did not review the census address list; or (b) did review the list and decided not to respond to the Bureau; (5) local governments suggested about 7.74 million changes to the Bureau's address list, of which about 5.4 million were suggested additions; (6) the results of GAO's survey suggest that many local governments appeared to be satisfied with the quality of the materials and assistance the Bureau provided; and (7) however, a number of jurisdictions rated these items, and the availability of local resources to review LUCA materials, less favorably.