[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28950-28952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12118]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

[Docket Number 150409353-5353-01]


2020 Decennial Census Residence Rule and Residence Situations

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and Request for Comment.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census (U.S. Census Bureau) requests public 
comment on the 2010 Census Residence Rule and Residence Situations. The 
Residence Rule is applied to living situations to determine where 
people should be counted during the decennial Census. Specific 
Residence Situations have been included with the Residence Rule to 
illustrate how the Rule is applied. The Census Bureau is currently 
reviewing the 2010 Residence Rule and Residence Situations, to 
determine if changes should be made to the Rule and/or if the 
situations should be updated for the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau 
anticipates publishing the final 2020 Census Residence Rule and 
Residence Situations in late 2017.

DATES: To ensure consideration during the decision-making process, 
comments must be received by July 20, 2015. The Census Bureau 
anticipates publishing a summary of comments received in response to 
this Federal Register notice in late 2015. The Census Bureau will then 
publish the final 2020 Census Residence Rule and Residence Situations 
in late 2017.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments regarding the 2010 Census 
Residence Rule and Residence Situations to Karen Humes, Chief, 
Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 5H174, Washington, DC 
20233; or Email [[email protected]].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Population and Housing Programs 
Branch, U.S. Census Bureau, 6H185, Washington, DC 20233, telephone 
(301) 763-2381; or Email [[email protected]].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    The Census Bureau is committed to counting every person in the 2020 
Census. Just as important, however, is the Census Bureau's commitment 
to counting every person in the correct place. The fundamental reason 
that the decennial census is conducted is to fulfill the Constitutional 
requirement (Article I, Section 2) to apportion the seats in the U.S. 
House of Representatives among the states. Thus, for a fair and 
equitable apportionment, it is crucial that people are counted in the 
right place during the 2020 Census.
    The Census Act of 1790 established the concept of ``usual 
residence'' as the main principle in determining where people are to be 
counted. This concept has been followed in all subsequent censuses. 
Usual residence has been defined as the place where a person lives and 
sleeps most of the time. This place is not necessarily the same as the 
person's voting residence or legal residence.
    Every decade the Census Bureau undertakes a review of the decennial 
residence rule guidance to ensure that the concept of usual residence 
is interpreted and applied in the decennial census as intended, and 
that these interpretations are in keeping with the intent of law, which 
directs the Census Bureau to enumerate people at their usual residence. 
This review also serves as an opportunity to identify new or changing 
living situations resulting from societal change, and create or revise 
the residence rule guidance where those situations are concerned.
    Determining usual residence is straightforward for most people. 
However, given our Nation's wide diversity in types of living 
arrangements, the usual residence for some people is not as apparent. A 
few examples are people experiencing homelessness, people with a 
seasonal/second residence, people in prisons, people in the process of 
moving, people in hospitals, children in shared custody arrangements, 
college students, live-in employees, military personnel, and people who 
live in workers' dormitories. For these ``residence situations,'' the 
Census Bureau has provided guidance on how to interpret the usual 
residence concept to determine where to count those people.
    The Census Bureau is requesting public comment on the 2010 
Residence Rule (section ``B'') and on the 2010 Residence Situations 
(section ``B,'' numbers 1-21, including all sub-paragraphs under each 
numbered section) to determine if changes should be made to the Rule 
and/or if the situations should be updated for the 2020 Census. The 
2010 Residence Rule and Residence Situations are described in the next 
sections of this Federal Register notice.

B. The Residence Rule and Residence Situations for the 2010 Census of 
the United States

    The Residence Rule was used to determine where people should be 
counted during the 2010 Census. The Rule said:
     Count people at their usual residence, which is the place 
where they live and sleep most of the time.
     People in certain types of facilities or shelters (i.e., 
places where groups of people live together) on Census Day should be 
counted at the facility or shelter.
     People who do not have a usual residence, or cannot 
determine a usual residence, should be counted where they are on Census 
Day.
    The following sections describe how the Residence Rule applied for 
people in various living situations.

1. People Away From Their Usual Residence on Census Day

    a) People away from their usual residence on Thursday, April 1, 
2010 (Census Day), such as on a vacation or a business trip, visiting, 
traveling outside the U.S., or working elsewhere without a usual 
residence there (for example, as a truck driver or traveling 
salesperson)--Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most 
of the time.

2. Visitors on Census Day

    a) Visitors on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day), who will 
return to their usual residence--Counted at the residence where they 
live and sleep most of the time.
    b) Citizens of foreign countries who are visiting the U.S. on 
Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day), such as on a vacation or a 
business trip--Not counted in the census.

3. People Who Live in More Than One Place

    (a) People living away most of the time while working, such as 
people who live at a residence close to where they work and return 
regularly to another residence--Counted at the residence where they 
live and sleep most of the time. If there is no residence where they 
live and sleep most of the time, they are counted where they live and 
sleep more than anywhere else. If time is equally divided, or if usual 
residence cannot be determined, they are counted at the residence where 
they are staying on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day).
    (b) People who live at two or more residences (during the week, 
month, or year), such as people who travel seasonally between 
residences (for example, snowbirds)--Counted at the residence where 
they live and sleep most of the time. If there is no residence where 
they live and sleep most of the time, they are counted where they live 
and sleep more than anywhere else. If

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time is equally divided, or if usual residence cannot be determined, 
they are counted at the residence where they are staying on Thursday, 
April 1, 2010 (Census Day).
    (c) Children in shared custody or other arrangements who live at 
more than one residence--Counted at the residence where they live and 
sleep most of the time. If time is equally divided, they are counted at 
the residence where they are staying on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census 
Day).

4. People Without a Usual Residence

    (a) People who cannot determine a usual residence--Counted where 
they are staying on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day).
    (b) People at soup kitchens and regularly scheduled mobile food 
vans--Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of the 
time. If they do not have a place they live and sleep most of the time, 
they are counted at the soup kitchen or mobile food van location where 
they are on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day).
    (c) People at targeted non-sheltered outdoor locations--Counted at 
the outdoor location where people experiencing homelessness stay 
without paying.

5. Students

    (a) Boarding school students living away from their parental home 
while attending boarding school below the college level, including 
Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding schools--Counted at their parental 
home rather than at the boarding school.
    (b) College students living at their parental home while attending 
college--Counted at their parental home.
    (c) College students living away from their parental home while 
attending college in the U.S. (living either on-campus or off-campus)--
Counted at the on-campus or off-campus residence where they live and 
sleep most of the time.
    (d) College students living away from their parental home while 
attending college in the U.S. (living either on-campus or off-campus) 
but staying at their parental home while on break or vacation--Counted 
at the on-campus or off-campus residence where they live and sleep most 
of the time.
    (e) U.S. college students living outside the U.S. while attending 
college outside the U.S.--Not counted in the census.
    (f) Foreign students living in the U.S. while attending college in 
the U.S. (living either on-campus or off-campus)--Counted at the on-
campus or off-campus residence where they live and sleep most of the 
time.

6. Movers on Census Day

    (a) People who move into a residence on Thursday, April 1, 2010 
(Census Day), who have not been listed on a questionnaire for any 
residence--Counted at the residence they move into on Census Day.
    (b) People who move out of a residence on Thursday, April 1, 2010 
(Census Day), and have not moved into a new residence on Thursday, 
April 1, 2010, and who have not been listed on a questionnaire for any 
residence--Counted at the residence from which they moved.
    (c) People who move out of a residence or move into a residence on 
Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day), who have already been listed on a 
questionnaire for any residence--If they have already been listed on 
one questionnaire, do not list them on any other questionnaire.

7. People Who Are Born or Die on Census Day

    (a) Babies born on or before 11:59:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, 
2010 (Census Day)--Counted at the residence where they will live and 
sleep most of the time, even if they are still in the hospital on April 
1, 2010 (Census Day).
    (b) Babies born after 11:59:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2010 
(Census Day)--Not counted in the census.
    (c) People who die before Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day)--Not 
counted in the census.
    (d) People who die on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day)--Counted 
in the census if they are alive at any time on April 1, 2010.

8. Nonrelatives of the Householder

    (a) Roomers or boarders--Counted at the residence where they live 
and sleep most of the time.
    (b) Housemates or roommates--Counted at the residence where they 
live and sleep most of the time.
    (c) Unmarried partners--Counted at the residence where they live 
and sleep most of the time.
    (d) Foster children or foster adults--Counted at the residence 
where they live and sleep most of the time.
    (e) Live-in employees, such as caregivers or domestic workers--
Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of the time.

9. U.S. Military Personnel

    (a) U.S. military personnel living in military barracks in the 
U.S.--Counted at the military barracks.
    (b) U.S. military personnel living in the U.S. (living either on 
base or off base) but not in barracks--Counted at the residence where 
they live and sleep most of the time.
    (c) U.S. military personnel on U.S. military vessels with a U.S. 
homeport--Counted at the onshore U.S. residence where they live and 
sleep most of the time. If they have no onshore U.S. residence, they 
are counted at their vessel's homeport.
    (d) People in military disciplinary barracks and jails in the 
U.S.--Counted at the facility.
    (e) People in military treatment facilities with assigned active 
duty patients in the U.S.--Counted at the facility if they are assigned 
there.
    (f) U.S. military personnel living on or off a military 
installation outside the U.S., including dependents living with them--
Counted as part of the U.S. overseas population. They should not be 
included on any U.S. census questionnaire.
    (g) U.S. military personnel on U.S. military vessels with a 
homeport outside the U.S.--Counted as part of the U.S. overseas 
population. They should not be included on any U.S. census 
questionnaire.

10. Merchant Marine Personnel on U.S. Flag Maritime/Merchant Vessels

    (a) Crews of U.S. flag maritime/merchant vessels docked in a U.S. 
port or sailing from one U.S. port to another U.S. port on Thursday, 
April 1, 2010 (Census Day)--Counted at the onshore U.S. residence where 
they live and sleep most of the time. If they have no onshore U.S. 
residence, they are counted at their vessel. If the vessel is docked in 
a U.S. port, crew members with no onshore U.S. residence are counted at 
the port. If the vessel is sailing from one U.S. port to another U.S. 
port, crew members with no onshore U.S. residence are counted at the 
port of departure.
    (b) Crews of U.S. flag maritime/merchant vessels engaged in U.S. 
inland waterway transportation on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census 
Day)--Counted at the onshore residence where they live and sleep most 
of the time.
    (c) Crews of U.S. flag maritime/merchant vessels docked in a 
foreign port, sailing from one foreign port to another foreign port, 
sailing from a U.S. port to a foreign port, or sailing from a foreign 
port to a U.S. port on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day)--Not 
counted in the census.

11. Foreign Citizens in the U.S.

    (a) Citizens of foreign countries living in the U.S.--Counted at 
the U.S. residence where they live and sleep most of the time.

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    (b) Citizens of foreign countries living in the U.S. who are 
members of the diplomatic community--Counted at the embassy, consulate, 
United Nations' facility, or other residences where diplomats live.
    (c) Citizens of foreign countries visiting the U.S., such as on a 
vacation or business trip--Not counted in the census.

12. U.S. Citizens and Their Dependents Living Outside the U.S.

    (a) U.S. citizens living outside the U.S. who are employed as 
civilians by the U.S. Government, including dependents living with 
them--Counted as part of the U.S. overseas population. They should not 
be included on any U.S. census questionnaire.
    (b) U.S. citizens living outside the U.S. who are not employed by 
the U.S. Government, including dependents living with them--Not counted 
in the census.
    (c) U.S. military personnel living on or off a military 
installation outside the U.S., including dependents living with them--
Counted as part of the U.S. overseas population. They should not be 
included on any U.S. census questionnaire.
    (d) U.S. military personnel on U.S. military vessels with a 
homeport outside the U.S.--Counted as part of the U.S. overseas 
population. They should not be included on any U.S. census 
questionnaire.

13. People in Correctional Facilities for Adults

    (a) People in correctional residential facilities on Thursday, 
April 1, 2010 (Census Day)--Counted at the facility.
    (b) People in federal detention centers on Thursday, April 1, 2010 
(Census Day)--Counted at the facility.
    (c) People in federal and state prisons on Thursday, April 1, 2010 
(Census Day)--Counted at the facility.
    (d) People in local jails and other municipal confinement 
facilities on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day)--Counted at the 
facility.

14. People in Group Homes and Residential Treatment Centers for Adults

    (a) People in group homes intended for adults (non-correctional)--
Counted at the facility.
    (b) People in residential treatment centers for adults (non-
correctional)--Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most 
of the time. If they do not have a residence where they live and sleep 
most of the time, they are counted at the facility.

15. People in Health Care Facilities

    (a) Patients in general or Veterans Affairs hospitals (except 
psychiatric units) on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day), including 
newborn babies still in the hospital on Census Day--Counted at the 
residence where they live and sleep most of the time. Newborn babies 
should be counted at the residence where they will live and sleep most 
of the time.
    (b) People in hospitals on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day), 
who have no usual home elsewhere--Counted at the facility.
    (c) People staying in in-patient hospice facilities on Thursday, 
April 1, 2010 (Census Day)--Counted at the residence where they live 
and sleep most of the time. If they do not have a residence where they 
live and sleep most of the time, they are counted at the facility.
    (d) People in mental (psychiatric) hospitals and psychiatric units 
for long-term non-acute care in other hospitals on Thursday, April 1, 
2010 (Census Day)--Counted at the facility.
    (e) People in nursing facilities/skilled nursing facilities on 
Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day)--Counted at the facility.

16. People in Juvenile Facilities

    a) People in correctional facilities intended for juveniles on 
Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day)--Counted at the facility.
    (b) People in group homes for juveniles (non-correctional) on 
Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day)--Counted at the facility.
    (c) People in residential treatment centers for juveniles (non-
correctional) on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day)--Counted at the 
facility.

17. People in Residential School-Related Facilities

    (a) People in college/university student housing--Counted at the 
college/university student housing.
    (b) Boarding school students living away from their parental home 
while attending boarding school below the college level, including 
Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding schools--Counted at their parental 
home rather than at the boarding school.
    (c) People in residential schools for people with disabilities on 
Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day)--Counted at the school.

18. People in Shelters

    (a) People in emergency and transitional shelters (with sleeping 
facilities) on Thursday, April 1, 2010 (Census Day), for people 
experiencing homelessness--Counted at the shelter.
    (b) People in living quarters for victims of natural disasters--
Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of the time. If 
they do not have a residence where they live and sleep most of the 
time, they are counted at the facility.
    (c) People in domestic violence shelters on Thursday, April 1, 2010 
(Census Day)--Counted at the shelter.

19. People in Transitory Locations

    (a) People at transitory locations such as recreational vehicle 
(RV) parks, campgrounds, hotels and motels (including those on military 
sites), hostels, marinas, racetracks, circuses, or carnivals--Counted 
at the residence where they live and sleep most of the time. If there 
is no residence where they live and sleep most of the time, they are 
counted where they live and sleep more than anywhere else. If time is 
equally divided, or if usual residence cannot be determined, they are 
counted at the place where they are staying on Thursday, April 1, 2010 
(Census Day).

20. People in Religious-Related Residential Facilities

    (a) People in religious group quarters such as convents and 
monasteries--Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of 
the time. If they do not have a residence where they live and sleep 
most of the time, they are counted at the facility.

21. People in Workers' Residential Facilities

    (a) People in workers' group living quarters and Job Corps 
Centers-- Counted at the residence where they live and sleep most of 
the time. If they do not have a residence where they live and sleep 
most of the time, they are counted at the facility.

    Dated: May 13, 2015.
John H. Thompson,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. 2015-12118 Filed 5-19-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P