The U.S. Census Bureau has announced the release of the 2024 Planning Database (PDB), which features updated Low Response Score (LRS) metrics and additional operational data from the 2020 Census.
According to the bureau, the PDB compiles a range of housing, demographic, socioeconomic, and operational information at both block group and census tract levels. The data is sourced from several major files: the 2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, the 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics File, and five-year estimates from the American Community Survey covering 2018–2022.
The database was originally created to support survey and census planning efforts but has since been applied in various contexts. These include identifying areas that may require targeted outreach, analyzing anticipated survey response rates across different regions, creating thematic maps by linking with map data, producing reports or cross tabulations for analysis, and assisting in planning for interviewer-led surveys.
A key feature of this year’s release is an updated LRS metric. The LRS is designed to predict how likely residents in a specific area are to respond to censuses or surveys. New variables have been introduced as predictors of low response rates; these include details about contact strategies such as whether an area will receive “internet first” or “internet choice” approaches.
Additionally, the Response Outreach Area Mapper (ROAM), an interactive mapping tool provided by the bureau, will soon incorporate these new LRS values along with other relevant PDB variables.
For further information or inquiries about this release, individuals are encouraged to contact [email protected].
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