Census Bureau Prepares for 2030 Count: Locating Hidden Homes

You might care about this because the Census Bureau is preparing for the 2030 Census by making sure they count everyone, even those living in less obvious places. This notice is about a test in 2026 to find "Accessory Dwelling Units" or ADUs. These are smaller, separate homes on the same property as a main house. Think of them as backyard cottages or basement apartments. They are often not on official address lists. The Census Bureau needs to find these ADUs to make sure the 2030 Census is as accurate as possible. This test involves Census employees visiting homes in specific areas of Maryland and Indiana. They will ask residents of the main house if there are any additional units where people live or could live on their property. This information collection aims to improve how they find these units for the upcoming national count. Your participation, if contacted, is required and should take about five minutes. This helps the government get a full and accurate picture of where everyone lives. This effort is particularly interesting because it shows the Census Bureau adapting to changes in how people live. With more ADUs being built, the old ways of finding every household might not be enough. This test is a direct response to a growing housing trend. It highlights the importance of local government partnerships in identifying these units. By testing methods now, the Census Bureau is trying to prevent a significant undercount in the 2030 Census. This could affect everything from political representation to how federal funds are distributed. The fact that participation is mandatory, though brief, also underscores the national importance of an accurate count. This test is a practical step to ensure the future Census reflects the complete picture of our communities, including homes that might otherwise be overlooked. Many groups would find this legal document highly relevant. Homeowners, especially those with ADUs or considering building them, should be interested in how their properties might be counted. Local government officials and urban planners would want to know about methods for identifying these units, as it relates to zoning and housing policy. Researchers and demographers who rely on accurate census data for their studies will find this test important for understanding future population counts. Privacy advocates might be interested in the mandatory nature of the participation, even if brief. Finally, anyone concerned with fair political representation and the correct distribution of government resources based on population data would find this notice meaningful. It touches on how the fundamental process of counting residents is being updated for modern living arrangements.