MARC News

Census Bureau seeks local government assistance with address data

July 20, 2007

Although the 2010 census is still several years away, the U.S. Census Bureau has already begun working with local governments to plan for as complete a population count as possible.

Accurate census counts are important to communities for a variety of reasons. Census counts are used by federal, state and local governments to determine the boundaries of legislative districts, and billions of federal and state dollars are allocated based on formulas that use census data. Public agencies often use census counts to determine necessary service levels, and private businesses use the information to evaluate markets and make investments.

The Census Bureau uses addresses from its Master Address File to mail out census forms. People whose addresses are not on that list — in new subdivisions, for example — will not receive a form, and therefore might not be included in the final count. To prevent errors of this type and ensure the most accurate list possible, the Census Bureau is seeking help from city and county governments through the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) program.

LUCA allows local governments to review and edit Census Bureau address data for their jurisdictions in one of three ways, depending on their technological capabilities. Jurisdictions with the necessary software may review Census Bureau address data and edit the files. Others may choose to review Census Bureau data and submit lists of missing addresses in an approved format. Both of these options require communities to sign confidentiality agreements and keep the Census Bureau's address files secure. A third option — for communities to simply submit a local address file without viewing Census Bureau data — is also available.

To help ensure accurate address data and census counts for their communities, local government officials should take two steps:

1. Register to participate. Invitation letters and registration materials will be mailed to the highest elected official and other contacts of each government by August 2007.
2. Assign a representative to attend one of two technical training sessions, tentatively scheduled for Oct. 2 and 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Census Bureau Office, 1211 N. 8th Street, Kansas City, Kan., 66101.

More information about the LUCA program is available online at www.census.gov/dmd/www/LUCA.htm.

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