Objective 2.3: Statistics
Produce accurate, timely, and relevant statistics by developing new samples that reflect the current characteristics and geographic
location of the population
Other Information:
Once a decade, following the decennial census, the Census Bureau selects new samples of the population that are the basis
for the country’s major surveys. Without this sample redesign effort, the information from these surveys -- indicators such
as the rate of violent crime and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) -- would be less reliable and less representative of the nation.
For instance, not redesigning the Consumer Expenditure Survey, which provides major input for the CPI, would likely cause
continuing under or over statement of the true change in prices. In addition to serving as the government’s chief gauge of
inflation, the CPI is used to calculate cost-of-living adjustments in Social Security and other federal benefit payments,
as well as some private benefit plans. According to the Congressional Budget Office in FY 1999, a 1-percentage point difference
in the rate of growth of the CPI directly changes federal spending and revenues by a net total of almost $6 billion per year.
Strategies and means: * Build an infrastructure for selecting samples of areas and housing units to respond quickly to changing
information needs of the federal government. This infrastructure will rely on a continually updated Master Address File and
annual data from the American Community Survey. Measuring performance: * MOUs with survey sponsoring agencies outlining the
surveys’ needs for Sample Redesign based on using the continually updated Master Address File and American Community Survey
data completed. * Samples introduced.
Indicator(s):
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