Census Bureau Moves Up Release of Demonstration Data to Coincide with August Redistricting Data Release

Census Bureau Moves Up Release of Demonstration Data to Coincide with August Redistricting Data Release

By EditorJul 23, 2021
Press Release (July 22, 2021): In response to stakeholder input about the value of earlier access to demonstration data that feature the 2020 Census Disclosure Avoidance System’s chosen production settings, the Census Bureau is moving up the release date for the demonstration data to coincide with the release (by August 16) of the legacy-formatted redistricting data. We’ll announce the specific release date in the coming weeks. The Census Bureau released metrics for the chosen production settings July 1 (see newsletter). We understand, based on your feedback, that access to the demonstration data coincident to the initial redistricting data release will…
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Federal Court Rejects Alabama’s Census Lawsuit

By EditorJun 29, 2021
An Alabama federal district court has rejected the State of Alabama's lawsuit requesting that the U.S. Census Bureau refrain from using the differential privacy method to modify individual census responses and move up the release of census data. Read the opinion here. The case in all likelihood will be appealed directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. The court writes: "On March 10, 2021, the State of Alabama, Congressman Robert Aderholt, and two Alabama voters (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) brought this suit against the U.S. Department of Commerce (“the Department”), the U.S. Bureau of the Census (“the Bureau”), and certain federal officials (collectively,…
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Census Bureau Sets Key Parameters to Protect Privacy in 2020 Census Results

Census Bureau Sets Key Parameters to Protect Privacy in 2020 Census Results

By EditorJun 09, 2021
The Census Bureau announced today the final framework for implementing its privacy algorithm (aka "disclosure avoidance or "differential privacy") on the 2020 census data. The specific settings (indicated below) determine the balance between accuracy and privacy in the data. In short, it determines how much statistical "noise" will be injected into the data. This decision comes after several notable criticisms of demonstration data that had been treated with the algorithm. Quick Info for Statistical Professionals: The latest set of demonstration data was set at an epsilon of 12.2. Today, the bureau's Data Stewardship Executive Policy Committee chose an epsilon of…
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Two Studies Find Major Issues with Soon to Be Released Census Data Due to Differential Privacy

Two Studies Find Major Issues with Soon to Be Released Census Data Due to Differential Privacy

By EditorMay 30, 2021
A team of researchers at Harvard University and a separate team at the University of Minnesota have published reports offering a troubling assessment of the U.S. Census Bureau's use of differential privacy or disclosure avoidance system (DAS) to block would-be hackers from identifying the personal information of everyone who participated in the 2020 census. In short, both conclude that the soon-to-be-released census data will not be accurate enough for redistricting. Read both studies here: Harvard Study. University of Minnesota Study. These reports and others are responses solicited by the Census Bureau in its effort to promote transparency and obtain feedback…
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U.S. Census Bureau VIDEO: Differential Privacy 101

U.S. Census Bureau VIDEO: Differential Privacy 101

By EditorMay 07, 2021
Watch this video for a basic eplanation of the differential privacy technique used to protect the privacy of individuals whose data resides in large databases. The video demonstrates how database records can be reconstructed to gain more detailed information on an individual beyond what exists in the one database. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsh1R1WA0kU
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2020 Census Apportionment Results Delivered to the President

2020 Census Apportionment Results Delivered to the President

By EditorApr 26, 2021
The U.S. Census Bureau issued this press release today in addition to holding a press conference announcing the official apportionment results from the 2020 Census. Originally due on December 31, 2020 - the results were delayed due to Covid-19 and litigation surrounding a presidential order to exclude non-citizens from the count. Read the press release below for a summary of the 2020 apportionment and state population results for the states. APRIL 26, 2021 – The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that the 2020 Census shows the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2020, was 331,449,281. The U.S. resident…
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U.S. Census Apportionment Results Are in. Here is the Data

U.S. Census Apportionment Results Are in. Here is the Data

By EditorApr 26, 2021
Today the U.S. Census Bureau announced the official apportionment results from the 2020 census. A press release detailing the data is below. In a press conference, the bureau announced that 7 U.S. House seats changed hands between states with Texas being the biggest gainer adding two additional seats. See the press release below for PDFs and data tables of the results. April 26, 2021: 2020 Census Apportionment Results Apportionment is the process of dividing the 435 memberships, or seats, in the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 states. At the conclusion of each decennial census, the results are used…
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Census Bureau Releases Quality Indicators on 2020 Census

Census Bureau Releases Quality Indicators on 2020 Census

By EditorApr 26, 2021
Press Release: APRIL 26, 2021 — Today the U.S. Census Bureau released information about the quality of the 2020 Census from two methods: (1) analyses that compare the first census results to other ways of measuring the population, and (2) metrics that provide insight into the census operations. The Census Bureau accelerated plans for releasing this information because of increased interest in how COVID-19 and its impact on operations may have impacted the quality of the 2020 Census. This is the first time that the Census Bureau has released such detailed analyses and operational quality metrics on the same day as…
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