Why did the Special Census Program Stop in 1998 and Resume in 2002?
The Special Census is typically on hiatus during decennial census years. We do this to update our materials and systems in preparation for the decennial census. Census 2000 was comprised of a very complex series of operations that resulted in significant amounts of work and demands on staff resources. Since a total redesign of the Special Census Program was required to integrate with other Census Bureau programs, staffing critical to the success of the Special Census Program was unavailable during Census 2000. In August 2001, while decennial census activities were concluding, the Census Bureau’s executive staff decided to restart the Special Census Program for this decade. Their decision also included a complete redesign of the program that included new procedures, software, forms, and other materials. The new Special Census program was tested in the fall of 2002 and is now in full implementation throughout the nation. Special Censuses will be offered to local and tribal governments un
