U.S. Census Bureau census takers and specially trained U.S. Postal Service (USPS) workers have commenced in-field enumeration for the 2026 Census Test in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina. These visits, which began today, target households in specific metro areas that did not respond to the initial online invitation issued on May 1.
The in-person collection, referred to as in-field enumeration (IFE), is designed to gather responses directly from non-participating households. This critical phase allows the Census Bureau to test and refine data collection methods in preparation for the 2030 Decennial Census.
Beyond the census test, the Bureau also announced upcoming economic indicators for April 2026, including Construction Spending and Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories and Orders. Additionally, the Census Bureau offers free training from Data Dissemination Specialists and promotes its My Community Explorer tool for disaster impact analysis.