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Customizing protections for each data product is an iterative process that requires data user engagement and feedback. As we produce demonstration data and performance metrics during Disclosure Avoidance System (DAS) development, we’ll post that information here.
The census data product formerly known as “Summary File 1” is now the Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC). Please follow our newsletter for updates and to learn how to contribute to its development. Review the 2020 Census Data Product Planning Crosswalk to better understand the proposed changes to this data product.
A subset of DHC tables were included in early iterations of DAS demonstration data. In the Redistricting Data section below, see:
Privacy-loss Budget Allocation Tables
2020 Census Data Product Planning Crosswalk (v. 3/16/2022)
Round 1 Feedback: 2010 DHC Demonstration Data v. 2022‐03‐16 (6/23/2022)
Newsletter: Demonstration Data for the 2020 Census DHC File; Webinar 3/22 (3/2/2022)
Newsletter: DHC Demonstration Data for Housing Tables; Next Steps in DHC Development (3/29/2022)
Newsletter: Technical Issues Discovered in Latest DHC Demonstration Data (4/8/2022)
Newsletter: Corrected DHC Housing Demonstration Data Now Online (4/14/2022)
Privacy-loss Budget Allocation Tables
2020 Census Data Product Planning Crosswalk (v. 8/25/2022)
Round 2 Feedback, 2010 Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC) v. 2022-08-25 (11/8/2022)
DHC Development and Production Timeline (v. 2022-08-25)
Newsletter 8/22/2022: New 2010 DHC Demonstration Data Coming August 25; Webinar August 31
Newsletter 8/25/2022: Just Released New Demonstration Data for the DHC; Webinar August 31
Newsletter 11/8/2022: Census Bureau Sets Key Parameters to Protect Privacy in 2020 Census DHC
Newsletter 1/20/2023: Coming This Spring: New 2010 Redistricting and DHC Demonstration Microdata with “Noisy Measurement” Files
Improvements in the design, processing and coding of the 2020 Census allow the release of data for almost five times as many detailed race and ethnic groups than were possible in 2010. Development of disclosure protections to accommodate this improvement are underway.
Related materials:
2020 Census Data Product Planning Crosswalk (see “Detailed DHC” tabs)
Timeline for Detailed DHC-A (v. 5/5/2022)
Newsletter: 1/17/2023. Heads Up: Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics File A Proof of Concept Coming Later This Month
Beginning in October 2019, the Census Bureau released a series of demonstration data products that applied iterative development versions of the 2020 Census Disclosure Avoidance System (DAS) to published 2010 Census Data. The first two demonstration data sets focused simultaneously on both redistricting and Demographic and Housing Characteristics data (DHC, known in earlier censuses as Summary File 1, or “SF1”). In August 2020, pandemic-triggered operational delays required the Census Bureau to prioritize development focus on the redistricting data to attempt to meet the statutory data release deadline. Demonstration data from September 17, 2020, forward focused solely on the redistricting data. (See Development Timeline)
The Census Bureau produced Detailed Summary Metrics and Privacy-Protected Microdata Files (PPMFs) to assist with data user analysis. IPUMS NHGIS converted the PPMFs into tabular format for ease of use. Data users evaluated each iteration and provided feedback that helped shaped the algorithm and settings throughout the development process. On June 8, 2021, the Census Bureau’s Data Stewardship Executive Policymaking Committee chose the final settings for production of the redistricting data. The data were released August 12, 2021.
Note that while the data in the Privacy-Protected Microdata files, the underlying untabulated microdata files used to generate the Detailed Summary Metrics, look like individual records, they are all privacy-protected through the application of differentially private statistical noise.
On June 8, 2021, The U.S. Census Bureau’s Data Stewardship Executive Policy Committee (DSEP) selected the settings and parameters for the Disclosure Avoidance System (DAS) for the 2020 Census redistricting data (PL-94-171).
This is the sixth and final set of Privacy-Protected Microdata Files (PPMFs) for the redistricting data that allow data users to compare the effect of the Disclosure Avoidance System settings on previously published 2010 Census data. These and previous PPMFs are only intended to demonstrate the redistricting data, not the Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC) or other 2020 Census data products.
There are two sets of Privacy-Protected Microdata Files (PPMFs), record layouts, and Detailed Summary Metrics in this release:
We encourage data users to closely analyze this demonstration data. Feedback received by May 28, 2021, will be considered. Email feedback to: 2020DAS@census.gov; include “April PPMF” in the subject line.
Particularly useful feedback would describe:
We will provide additional metrics and educational webinars throughout the month of May to help you with that analysis. (Subscribe to our newsletter for the release and other updates.)
This release corrects a coding error discovered after publication of v. 2020-09-17, along with other minor refinements.
NOTE: There was an issue with the algorithm that produced the v. 2020-09-17 person-level PPMF that has since been corrected. View the newsletter discussing this issue for further details.
We appreciate your engagement and encourage you to email comments and suggestions to 2020DAS@census.gov.
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