Households in select metro areas of Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina, have until August 31 to respond to the 2026 Census Test. This test, launched by the U.S. Census Bureau in May, is crucial for evaluating innovations planned for the upcoming 2030 Census.
Residents in these areas received an invitation with a unique census ID to respond online using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. For those who do not respond initially, the Census Bureau will send up to four mail reminders and may dispatch a census taker or specially trained U.S. Postal Service worker for in-person collection.
The 2026 Census Test aims to inform the readiness for achieving a complete and accurate count of the nation’s population in the 2030 Census, ensuring the effectiveness of new methods and technologies.