Decennial Census of Population and Housing

• 2020 Census Participant Statisical Areas Program (PSAP)
• 2020 Census PSAP Information Guide
• Who is my 2020 Census PSAP contact?
• Why Participate in the 2020 Census PSAP?
• What's New?
• What is the 2020 Census PSAP Schedule?
• 2020 Census PSAP Registration Materials
  
• 2020 Census PSAP Federal Register Notice
• Where Can I Find More Information?
• Contact Information

The 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) allows invited participants to review and update selected statistical area boundaries for 2020 Census data tabulation following U.S. Census Bureau guidelines and criteria. The Census Bureau also will use the statistical areas defined for the 2020 Census to tabulate data for the annual American Community Survey (ACS) estimates and the Economic Census.

There are two types of statistical geographies, standard and tribal, available for review under the 2020 Census PSAP.

The Census Bureau may modify, and if necessary reject, statistical geographic areas and/or their boundaries submitted by participants that do not meet established criteria and guidelines.

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The 2020 Census PSAP Information Guide provides important information for governments planning to participate in the 2020 Census PSAP, including how to prepare for the 2020 Census PSAP and the final statistical geographies criteria and tribal statistical geographies criteria.

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The Census Bureau initially solicits 2020 Census PSAP participation from our 2010 Census PSAP participants. Where no previous participant exists, the Census Bureau attempts to solicit new participants. The Census Bureau strongly recommends 2020 Census PSAP participants seek input from other census data users and stakeholders regarding 2020 Census statistical area delineations. Contact the Census Bureau by email at geo.psap@census.gov to determine who the 2020 Census PSAP contact is for your jurisdiction.

Governments reviewing standard statistical geographies can view the 2020 Census PSAP Invitation Recipients Map to determine which government entities received a 2020 Census PSAP invitation package.

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The 2020 Census PSAP is the only opportunity prior to the 2020 Census for regional planning agencies (RPAs); councils of governments (COGs); Alaska Native Regional Associations (ANRAs); and tribal, state, county, and local governments (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) to review and update the selected statistical areas. The Census Bureau uses the statistical areas defined for the 2020 Census to tabulate data for the ACS throughout the decade. These data are used to:

• Prepare grant applications to fund community and regional development, education, agriculture, energy, and environmental programs, as well as other needed community improvements and enhancements.
• Plan for future community needs. The next opportunity to review and delineate statistical areas is planned for the 2030 Census.

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• The former Tribal Statistical Areas Program (TSAP) is included as part of the 2020 Census PSAP. Federally recognized tribes and state tribal liaisons have the opportunity to update tribal statistical geographies in 2020 Census PSAP.
• To reduce participant burden, the Census Bureau anticipates creating 2020 Census statistical areas for review and update by 2020 Census PSAP participants. Participants may accept the Census Bureau’s 2020 Census proposed statistical areas, update the 2020 Census proposed statistical areas, or use the 2010 Census statistical area geography as a base to make updates.
• Participants reviewing standard statistical area geographies are required to use the Census Bureau’s Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) to delineate updates. The GUPS runs in QGIS, which is an open source Geographic Information System (GIS), and it contains all functionality required to make 2020 Census PSAP updates, execute automated checks for program criteria compliance, and create standardized data output files for Census Bureau processing. The GUPS will be available for download from the Census Bureau's website or available on DVD.
• Participants using the GUPS to update their statistical areas must use the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM) to send their updates. The SWIM is the official web portal for uploading partnership materials to the Census Bureau.
• Tribal participants reviewing TCTs, TBGs, or CDPs may use the GUPS or may elect to use the Census Bureau provided paper maps to review and edit tribal statistical geographies.
• Participants reviewing ANVSAs, OTSAs, OTSA tribal subdivisions, TDSAs, or SDTSAs are provided Census Bureau paper maps to review and edit tribal statistical areas.

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• March - May 2018: Contact 2010 Census PSAP participants to inquire about 2020 Census PSAP participation.
• July 2018: 2020 Census PSAP invitation materials sent to 2020 Census PSAP participants.
• Fall 2018: Final criteria for standard statistical areas published.
  
• January 2019: 2020 Census PSAP delineation phase begins. Participants have 120 calendar days to submit updates.
• January 2019: 2020 Census PSAP webinar trainings begin.
  
• July 2019: 2020 Census PSAP participants notified of delineation phase closeout.
  
• January 2020: 2020 Census PSAP verification phase begins. Participants have 90 calendar days to review updates.
  

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The 2020 Census PSAP registration phase is complete. If you have any questions regarding the 2020 Census PSAP, please email geo.psap@census.gov.

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2020 Census PSAP Federal Register Notice

Standard Statistical Geographies

The Federal Register Notice (FRN) for the 2020 Census PSAP standard statistical geographies is currently under development. Check back in fall 2018 for the final FRN for the 2020 Census PSAP standard statistical geographies, which includes detailed information on the standard statistical geography criteria and guidelines.

Tribal Statistical Geographies

The tribal statistical geographies for the 2020 Census PSAP share the same criteria and guidelines as published in the 2008 FRN for the 2010 Census PSAP. These guidelines and criteria are found in the 2010 Census PSAP FRN, under the section "TSAP/American Indian and Alaska Native Programs."

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