Summary: The results of the 1990 census reveal that the American public has grown too diverse and dynamic to be accurately counted solely by the traditional "headcount" approach. For the first time in decades, the 1990 census was less accurate than that of its predecessor, even as census costs soared. GAO estimates that the net 1990 census undercount was about 4.7 million people and that the 1990 census had at least 14.1 million errors, including missed persons and those improperly included in the count. GAO submits that this is an opportune time to rigorously explore reform in three main areas: (1) improving the development of address lists; (2) responding to declining public response rates; and (3) reducing reliance on costly, lengthy, and error-prone follow-up efforts. The primary challenge for the Census Bureau is to build on its advantages, heed the lessons of the 1990 census, and plan for the year 2000 with discipline and inspiration. Strong and continuing congressional oversight will be needed to ensure that the momentum for change is maintained and the redesign effort is successful. GAO summarized this report in testimony before Congress; see: Decennial Census: Opportunities for Fundamental Reform, by L. Nye Stevens, Director of Government Business Operations Issues, before the Subcommittee on Census and Population, House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. GAO/T-GGD-92-51, June 10, 1992 (12 pages).
