Estimating the Cost of the 2020 Census Nonresponse Followup with Administrative Records

• Activity Number: 40
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Sunday, August 3, 2014 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Survey Research Methods Section
• Author(s): Tamara Adams*+ and Edward Kobilarcik and Mary Bucci
• Companies: U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Census Bureau
• Keywords: census ; cost estimation

Abstract

In accordance with current Census Bureau plans, the Research and Testing Program for the 2020 Census is researching how to reduce the cost of the 2020 Census. The largest and most costly operation, Nonresponse Followup is being restructured, using administrative records, adaptive design, and a reduced contact cycle. However, in order to determine the impact on the eventual cost of the census, we have used 2010 census response and paradata to estimate the parameters needed to estimate the cost of various nonresponse followup options, in conjunction with other design changes to the census. These data are then available to decision-makers to begin the process of choosing the major options for the 2020 Census. In this paper, we will lay out the framework used to compare various options from a research perspective, the methodology used to complete the estimates, and future plans.