John Thompson

An agency watchdog report has found Census Bureau systems failed to meet “peak recruiting demands” this summer – a claim that the bureau disputes.

President Donald Trump says he has asked about delaying the 2020 census over a citizenship question, but experts say any delay could gum up the U.S. Census Bureau’s finely calibrated timetable

Budget cuts and staffing shortfalls are just two problems affecting open data and transparency in the Trump administration

The Census Bureau is in the home stretch of preparations for the 2020 count. But for more than half a year, the agency has lacked a permanent leader.

Former Census Bureau Director John Thompson says he still believes the 2020 count will be more efficient and cost effective than previous ones, but he urged Congress to fully fund the agency’s request in 2019.

Census Bureau Director John Thompson will step down from his role at the end of June after serving nearly four years on the job. The bureau’s next leader will take over the operations of the 2020 Census, which has already received considerable budget scrutiny from government watchdogs.

As the 2020 census approaches, lawmakers and the Government Accountability Office are concerned about the Census Bureau’s cost estimation practices, lack of transparency and cybersecurity. No one currently has a clear picture of what the 2020 census will cost, although best estimates put it around $12.5 billion.

Because 2020 will be the first time that the Census will rely more upon the internet than paper, the bureau has to test, roll out and connect 52 separate systems, which is a tall order for the agency.Because 2020 will be the first time that the Census will rely more upon the internet than paper, the bureau has to test, roll out and connect 52 separate systems, which is a tall order for the agency.

The Census Bureau is gearing up for the 2020 count. Bureau officials say they’re hitting milestones thanks to recent software decisions and the hiring of certain IT personnel. But federal auditors say they’ve found flaws in the bureau’s preparation.

Budget constraints, IT management issues and a tight timeline could thwart the Census Bureau’s ambitious redesign plan for the 2020 count. The bureau said it could save more than $5 billion during the 2020 Census cycle. Census’ last count was the most expensive ever in U.S. history.