The U.S. Census Bureau has announced the release of the 2024 Planning Database (PDB), which features updated Low Response Score (LRS) data and new operational information from the 2020 Census.
According to the Census Bureau, “The 2024 PDB contains a selection of housing, demographic, socioeconomic and operational data for block groups and census tracts from the 2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics File, and 2018–2022 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.”
The Planning Database is designed to support survey and census planning efforts. Its uses include identifying geographic areas that may need special outreach, assessing expected survey completion rates at various geographic levels, linking database information with mapping tools to create thematic maps, generating reports or analyses, and assisting in planning interviewer-administered surveys.
A key feature of the PDB is the Low Response Score (LRS), which predicts how likely residents in a specific area are to respond to censuses or surveys. The LRS now incorporates new predictors such as contact strategy—whether an area receives internet-first or internet-choice options—which are included as new variables in this year’s release.
Additionally, the interactive Response Outreach Area Mapper (ROAM) tool will be updated with these latest LRS figures and other important variables from the PDB.
For further questions or comments about this release, individuals can contact [email protected].
