Civic & Community Engagement
Census 2030
Protect a Fair, Complete, and Accurate 2030 Census
The Census Bureau has proposed new regulations that would significantly change how people are counted for the 2030 Census. The proposed rule, published on the Federal Register on September 10, 2026, has been extended to November 2, 2026.
Read the Federal Register Notice
Key changes include:
- Redefining “usual residence.”
- Excluding some immigrants from apportionment.
- Expanding the role of administrative records.
- Considering a legal-status question.
- Restricting demographic questions.
Why it matters to Michigan: In 2023, Census data directly guided more than 62 billion federal dollars for the state of Michigan. Programs that relied on this funding include Medicaid and Medicare, nutrition assistance, highway construction and planning, Title I and special education grants, foster care and childcare grants, K-12 education, Section 8 vouchers, and Head Start/Early Start programs.
For more information on the proposed changes, review The Leadership Conference Education Fund | Census Counts resource.
Submit a public comment!
**BREAKING NEWS! Advocacy efforts are working. The 30-day comment period has been extended to November 2, 2026. **
Public comments provide individuals and organizations with an opportunity to express support, raise concerns, or offer recommendations on issues the Federal Reserve must consider, including the potential impacts and implementation of proposed regulations. These comments become part of the official public record and are considered during the Federal Reserve’s review and decision-making process.
Nonprofits have until November 2, 2026, to submit public comments and make their voices heard.
- Organizations can submit their comments through the Federal Regulations website.
- For guidance on writing a comment, review the National Council of Nonprofits Comment Guide for this specific FRN.
- For additional information and resources to inform your Census advocacy check out the POGO data pages below.
If you are not comfortable with addressing the proposed changes at this time, you can also call for more time to respond. Submit via the comment process or sign on to a letter requesting that the Census Bureau extend the comment period through December 10. Use this sample extension letter from The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights as a model.
Rulemaking: Democracy in Action
Learn about the rulemaking process
More actions you can take
MNA Census Survey
MNA Public Policy is conducting a survey to collect information on how nonprofits utilize Census data. Your answers will help us inform our advocacy work on behalf of the nonprofit sector. MNA will not publicly disclose the name of your organization. This survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete.
We are the Data
Learn more about implications of removing race and ethnicity from the Census and how to communicate about it. From We are the Data.
How to Talk About the Implications
Learn key talking points and information to help contextualize and discuss the census and the implications of the proposed changes. From The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
Do a Deep Dive
Go further into learning about the Census and the implications of the proposed changes using this collection of resources put together by The Leadership Conference Education Fund | Census Counts
What Proposed 2030 Census Changes Could Mean for Native Communities
Learn from the Native American Rights Fund what the implications of the proposed changes would have on the community.
Resources
Federal Funds Geographically Directed by Census Data
2030 Report Census Guided Economic Development Funds in Michigan
2030 Report Census Guided Education Funds in Michigan
2030 Report Census Guided Health Funds in Michigan
2030 Report Census Guided Housing Funds in Michigan
2030 Report Census Guided Infrastructure Funds in Michigan
