U.S. Census Bureau to Conduct Pilot With U.S. Postal Service for 2026 Operational Test

MARCH 23, 2026 — "The U.S. Census Bureau last month announced it has modified its 2026 Census Test sites to Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina. These sites were selected to give the Census Bureau the opportunity to explore how working with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) could increase effectiveness and how to improve in-field enumeration processes for the 2030 Census.

"Starting on May 1, the Census Bureau will invite approximately 154,600 households in Spartanburg and Huntsville to respond to the test online in English only via computer, smartphone and tablet. Phone and mail responses will not be offered."

See the complete 3/23/26 announcement on the Census website

See coverage from the Associated Press (note the final paragraph) and earlier coverage from NPR.

See the previous DCSS post providing information on the process leading up to this test.