The US Census Bureau’s mission is to provide quality statistics on the nation’s people, places, and economy. Geospatial data is the bedrock upon which the Census Bureau builds its comprehensive foundation of statistics on the nation’s population.
The use of geospatial data, geographic information systems (GIS), and spatial analysis are critical to ensuring the agency has a complete and accurate list to achieve its mission to count everyone, once, only once, and in the right place.
“In the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau used high-quality satellite imagery to validate 65% of U.S. addresses,” said Deirdre Dalpiaz Bishop, Chief of the Census Bureau’s Geography Division. “These successful innovations increased the accuracy of the Master Address File”, says Deidre. Mapping and satellite technology were critical in detecting changes in the landscape, and high-resolution satellite imagery was used to pinpoint and validate structures.
Thanks to more sophisticated techniques, the process has evolved to the point where the Census Bureau plans to automate the manual processes of the past, allowing computers and machine learning to detect change in the future.
Digital Transformation of the 2020 Census Digitization was critical in actively digitizing and linking data in the census including address information, geocodes, master lists of businesses and jobs, and Cloud-based data. “The 2020 Census represented a significant milestone in the digital transformation of the census process,” says Bishop.
“The integration of geographic information systems and digitization of data records laid a strong foundation for future censuses. The resulting geospatial database is the most complete and accurate in history, enabling the Census Bureau to focus on challenge areas and enhancements to data visualization capabilities that make it easier for the public to use Census data.”
The Census Bureau’s technological evolution, as showcased in preparations for the 2030 Census, reflects a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and precision in national data collection efforts.
Data visualization capability allows everyone from amateurs to sophisticated data users to examine a map and drill down to their local neighbourhood and find out where they belong in a certain community.
Beyond the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau has continued to harness various geographic technologies to not only gather demographic information but also actively contribute to community welfare and development.
The Open Innovation Lab
The Census Bureau’s Open Innovation Lab exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to addressing community needs through technology. By partnering with technologists, governments and communities, the lab tackles challenges such as addressing standardization in the wake of natural disasters.
The collaboration after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico is a testament to the power of combining geospatial data, data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning in real-world applications. “The increasing importance of geospatial data in observing demographic patterns and solving key problems cannot be overstated,” believes Bishop. “A complete and accurate address list is a critical component of the Census Bureau’s 130+ surveys and programs.
It’s what allows us to unravel the complexities of population shifts and ensure our understanding of our nation’s population remains both precise and panoramic.” The Census Bureau actively champions the broad use and integration of geospatial data, recognizing its pivotal role in highlighting the value of Census Bureau data down to the smallest geographic levels.
Critical Role of Geocoding
Geocoding continues to be a critical component of the Census Bureau’s methodology. Ensuring that each address is accurately geocoded is paramount for the correct allocation of statistical data.
The Census Bureau’s development and enhancement of geocoding tools, including a publicly available geocoder, support the accurate distribution of resources and services (as demonstrated by the use of the geocoder in distributing Paycheck Protection Program loans during the COVID-19 pandemic).
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