Federal Update: Census Bureau Proposes Changes to 2030 Census Rules

Proposed changes to who is included in the decennial census could affect population data used for federal and state funding, local planning, and other purposes. Cities can submit comments through Oct. 13.

The U.S. Census Bureau has proposed new regulations governing who is included in the decennial census and how a person’s usual residence is determined. The proposal would establish new criteria for determining usual residence for the 2030 Census, as well as rules governing demographic questions on the decennial census questionnaire. The Census Bureau is accepting public comments through Oct. 13, 2026.

View the U.S. Census Bureau proposed 2030 rule changes.

Register now for a webinar on Oct. 6 to learn more about the proposed census rule changes.

What would change?

• Usual residence criteria: The proposed rule would establish criteria for determining a person’s “usual residence” for the decennial census. Among other changes, it would generally use the location where a person lawfully spends the greatest number of days during the census enumeration period — proposed as Jan. 3 through April 1 — as the basis for determining usual residence. The proposal also would provide that usual residence should be consistent with and supported by tax records.
• Apportionment population: The proposal would change the population used for congressional apportionment by distinguishing among U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and other foreign citizens. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents would be counted at their usual residence, while certain other foreign citizens would be excluded from the apportionment population. The Census Bureau is considering using administrative records to help determine legal status.
• Demographic questions: The Census Bureau is separately proposing standards governing which demographic questions may be included on the decennial questionnaire.

Why does this matter to cities?

The decennial census provides the population baseline for a wide range of federal, state and local uses. Between census, the bureau also produces annual population estimates for cities, which are used for federal funding allocations and other purposes.

Changes to the decennial population count could affect cities in several ways:

• Federal funding: Census Bureau data are used in the formulas for numerous federal programs. A change in a community’s population count could affect funding allocations, with specific impacts varying by program and formula.
• Local planning and data: Cities use population and demographic data, along with local information, to plan for infrastructure, housing, transportation, public safety and other services. Changes to population counts or available demographic data could affect the information cities use to plan for community needs.
• Population-based programs and measures: Population figures are used in various government programs, formulas and measures of community need. Changes in population counts could affect how jurisdictions are treated under programs that use population thresholds or per-capita calculations.
• Representation and redistricting: The decennial population count is used for congressional apportionment and provides population data used in redistricting. Changes to the population included in the count could affect the population totals used for those purposes.

Cities can submit comments

Cities interested in the proposed changes are encouraged to submit feedback to the Census Bureau. Comments can be filed electronically and must be received by Oct. 13, 2026. Submissions should reference FDMS Docket No. USBC-2026-0628 and Federal Register Document No. 2026-18481.

The National League of Cities (NLC) has also prepared a template that cities can use as a starting point for submitting comments. Cities may adapt the template to highlight their own community’s circumstances and concerns.

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