State Data Center (SDC) Clearinghouse

Census Bureau’s partnership with states and territories

Posted on October 12, 2017 Updated on July 15, 2022

The US Census Bureau has multiple efforts that involve states and territories. Five permanent, ongoing partnerships are State Data Centers, the Federal-State Cooperative for Population Estimates, the Cooperative for Population Projections, the Governors’ Liaisons Network, and the Redistricting Data Program. These partnerships enable the Census Bureau to reach state leaders and stakeholders, transmit data to the states, improve data collection, and extend expert guidance and access to Census data and products throughout the decade.

State Data Centers

• Established in 1978 for data assistance to state and local governments and the general public throughout the decade.
• 56 State Leads, representing each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and US Island Areas.
• Supported by 1,600 coordinating agencies and affiliates, which include local governments, university research centers, libraries and nonprofits.
• Members are premier partners who extend Census’s reach and provide Census products, data, and training resources to interested audiences and the general public.
• Support various Bureau programs including BAS, LUCA, Building Permits, and Census of Governments.
• Provide feedback on data users’ needs and operational issues.
• At the Census Bureau, the SDC program is coordinated by the Customer Liaison and Marketing Services Office.
• A steering committee representing the states works with Census Bureau staff to identify priorities and coordinate activities.

Federal-State Cooperative for Population Estimates

• Established in 1967 to assist the Census Bureau with state and local population and housing unit estimates.
• 56 members representing each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and US Island Areas.
• Members are demographers and population analysts who provide their local knowledge and insight to the Population Estimates Program, the media, and the public.
• FSCPEs supply vital statistics, information about group quarters (such as college dorms or prisons), and housing unit components.
• FSCPEs support efforts to improve the accuracy and timeliness of Census Bureau estimates by reviewing and providing comments on the population and housing unit estimates and methodology.
• Participate in Decennial Census preparations and Count Review.
• At the Census Bureau, the FSCPE program is coordinated by the Population Division.
• A steering committee representing the states works with Census Bureau staff to identify priorities and coordinate activities.

Federal-State Cooperative for Population Projections

• Established in 1979 to advance techniques and methods of population projection, and to provide a forum for discussion and exchange between federal and state population projections specialists.
• State members representing each state and the District of Columbia.
• FSCPP members work in cooperation with Census’s Population Projections Branch to exchange technical information on subnational population projections. This exchange is facilitated by an annual meeting focused on new developments in the field of population projections.
• The State members produce independent state and local area projections using methodology and techniques that meet their specific needs.
• At the Census Bureau, the FSCPP program is coordinated by the Population Division.
• There is an annual meeting of FSCPP participants.

Governors’ Liaisons List

• Staff or appointees of governors, representing the governors of most states, Puerto Rico, and US Island Areas, /and the District of Columbia.
• During the 2020 Census cycle, the Governors’ Liaisons are a conduit for official communications. Communications include news of upcoming phases of preparation and Census activities in states, as well as discussions of state participation in 2020 Census partnership programs and geographic programs.
• Throughout the decade, Census Bureau keeps the Governors’ Liaisons informed of the planning and implementation of the Economic Census, the Census of Governments, and major household surveys.
• At the Census Bureau, the Governors’ Liaisons List is coordinated by the Intergovernmental Affairs Office.
• There is not an annual meeting nor a steering committee of participants.

The roles of State Data Centers, FSCPEs, FSCPPs, and Governors’ Liaisons may be overlapping. In some states, a single office may participate in two or three of these roles.

Redistricting Data Program

• State officials responsible for legislative apportionment or districting in each state and Puerto Rico.
• During the 2020 Census cycle, this geographic designation program receives the geographic bounds of legislative districts, voting districts, and other areas needing tabulations of population. The specification, transmittal and receipt of tabulations is a nonpartisan process that follows states’ political decisions concerning legislative and voting districts.
• The US Census Bureau will deliver the specified 2020 Census tabulations to Governors and public bodies (Legislatures or Commissions) immediately following the availability of the decennial Redistricting Data files.
• The Redistricting Data Program continues throughout the decade. State participants have a biennial opportunity to specify changes to legislative districts.
• At the Census Bureau, the Redistricting Data Program is administered by the Redistricting Data Office.
• There is not an annual meeting nor a steering committee of participants.