The U.S. Census Bureau has released the 2024 Planning Database (PDB), which includes updated Low Response Score (LRS) metrics and new operational data from the 2020 Census. The database is designed to support planning for surveys and censuses, but it can also be used for other purposes such as identifying areas that may require targeted outreach or analyzing expected survey response rates across different geographic regions.
The 2024 PDB features housing, demographic, socioeconomic, and operational information at the block group and census tract levels. This data comes from several sources: the 2020 Census Redistricting Data Summary File, the 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics File, and five-year estimates from the American Community Survey covering 2018 to 2022.
Among its uses, the PDB allows users to link its data with mapping tools to create thematic maps, generate reports or cross tabulations, conduct simple analyses, and assist in planning interviewer-administered surveys. The Low Response Score in particular is intended to help predict how likely residents of a given area are to respond to census or survey requests. The latest version incorporates new predictors of low response rates—such as contact strategy variables like “internet first” or “internet choice”—which are now available in this release.
Additionally, the Response Outreach Area Mapper (ROAM), an interactive tool developed by the Census Bureau, will be updated with these new LRS figures and related variables from the PDB.
For further questions or comments about this release, individuals are encouraged to contact [email protected].
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