NOTE: As of December 29, 2023, all cases have been completed and governmental units have been notified.

The 2020 Post-Census Group Quarters Review (PCGQR) is a new, one-time operation for governmental units in the 50 states; Washington, D.C.; and Puerto Rico to request that the U.S. Census Bureau review the population counts of group quarters they believe were not correctly counted as of April 1, 2020.

It was created in response to public feedback received on the Count Question Resolution operation about counting group quarters’ populations during the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The operation can, though, inform and improve the statistics produced for communities throughout the decade.

It can update population counts used for population estimates and surveys.

• Once a resolution is determined for each case, the Census Bureau will respond to the governmental unit in writing with an official determination letter that indicates whether the case is determined to be in scope and approved, out of scope, or if no corrections are warranted. The Census Bureau will inform governmental units of the results of their case on a rolling basis (subject to the requirements of Title 13) and complete all case research and resolution by no later than December 29, 2023. See the "Important Dates" section below for more information.
• If the 2020 PCGQR process finds discrepancies in 2020 Census population counts for a group quarters facility, approved updates to this count will be provided to the Population Estimates Program. These updates will be incorporated into the next population base that the production schedule allows. Part of the estimates processing includes the infusion of a small amount of differentially private noise into the April 1, 2020, counts to adhere to enterprise disclosure avoidance standards. More information on  disclosure avoidance modernization for the 2020 Census is available here.
• The population estimates developed from the updated population base will also be used by numerous Census Bureau surveys such as the American Community Survey and the Puerto Rico Community Survey. These surveys use population estimates as survey controls so that the population totals from the survey conform to the updated population estimates.

It will contribute to current information for communities.

• The updated population estimates provided to the American Community Survey and Puerto Rican Community Survey contribute to providing communities with current information on social, economic, housing, and demographic topics. 
• Information from these surveys generate data that help determine how more than trillions of dollars in federal and state funds are distributed each year.
  

This operation cannot change 2020 Census counts or data products, such as apportionment and redistricting.

Also, it cannot review population counts for housing units, including units where students live in an area surrounding a college or university.

No errata table will be provided and, in compliance with Title 13, we will not be able to disclose specific details about the submitted cases. Therefore, if you receive a response from the Census Bureau stating that your submission was approved, that means that at least some part of your submission was found to be in scope and accepted for a correction, but we are not able to identify which portions of your submission were considered to be in scope and accepted, due to the requirements of Title 13.

The submission period for reviewing 2020 Census group quarters population counts through the PCGQR operation ended June 30, 2023. The Special Census Program can update population estimates produced by the Census Bureau. However, it cannot review or recount 2020 Census results. Refer to the Special Census Program webpage for more information.

The results from accepted 2020 PCGQR cases will be incorporated on a rolling basis as they are processed. The updated group quarters population and corresponding demographic characteristics will be applied to the 2020 Census input files that are used to develop the April 1, 2020, population estimates base. The updated information is included with the original data, at which point differential privacy is applied, and the resulting data are then used in our population estimates method to generate the annual estimates. Read more about our methodology.

Localities whose cases were accepted in time for Vintage 2023 estimates production may approximate the impact of their 2020 PCGQR cases by comparing the population in the April 1, 2020 estimates base in the Vintage 2023 Population Estimates against the corresponding value for the April 1, 2020 estimates base in the Vintage 2022 Population Estimates. Please note that the April 1, 2020 estimates base may also reflect changes due to the CQR operation, geographic program revisions and the application of disclosure avoidance to protect confidentiality.

In March 2024, some localities can expect to start seeing updates incorporated into the April 1, 2020 estimates base in the Vintage 2023 Population Estimates at the county level. Cities and towns can expect to start seeing some 2020 PCGQR updates in the Vintage 2023 Population Estimates in May 2024. All updates from the 2020 PCGQR are expected to be incorporated by the Vintage 2024 Population Estimates to be released in 2025. The full release schedule for the Population Estimates Program can be found on the Census Bureau’s website.

For more information, check out the news release.

June 06, 2022: Governmental units begin submitting 2020 PCGQR cases for review.

June 30, 2023: Deadline for governmental units to submit all documentation for a 2020 PCGQR case. 

September 30, 2023: The Census Bureau will attempt to respond to each inquiry within 90 days of receipt and complete all case research and resolution by no later than September 30, 2023. However, due to the high number of cases submitted at the June 30, 2023 deadline, our review is taking longer than expected. In order to carefully consider all cases, the Census Bureau has extended the review period, and we will attempt to send an official notification with the decision no later than December 29, 2023.

A group quarters is a place where people live or stay, in a group living arrangement, owned or managed by an entity or organization providing housing and/or services for the residents. 

These services may include custodial or medical care as well as other types of assistance, and residency is commonly restricted to those receiving these services. People living in group quarters are usually not related to each other. This is not a typical household-type living arrangement.

The Census Bureau could review the 2020 Census population count for group quarters that existed and were available for occupancy on April 1, 2020.

Eligible group quarters types:

• Correctional Facilities for Adults
• Juvenile Facilities
• Nursing Facilities/Skilled-Nursing Facilities
• Other Institutional Facilities
• College/University Student Housing
• Military Quarters
• Emergency and Transitional Shelters (with Sleeping Facilities) for People Experiencing Homelessness  
• Group Homes Intended for Adults  
• Residential Treatment Centers for Adults   
• Workers’ Group Living Quarters and Job Corps Centers
• Living Quarters for Victims of Natural Disasters

Upon receiving a case, the Census Bureau will determine if it is eligible for review by the 2020 PCGQR. Once a resolution is determined for each case, the Census Bureau will respond with an official determination letter to inform the highest elected official of the governmental unit, whether the case was determined to be eligible for review, out-of-scope, or if no updates are warranted.

These results will be provided to governmental units on a rolling basis through December 29, 2023. As explained in the "Important Dates" section of this webpage, due to the high number of cases submitted at the June 30, 2023 deadline, our review is taking longer than expected.

As the case is being processed, communication may occur between the Census Bureau and the designated point of contact via telephone and email.

Learn more about how 2020 PCGQR results will be used.

If you have additional questions regarding the 2020 PCGQR, email us at dcmd.2020.pcgqr.submissions@census.gov.