The U.S. Census Bureau announced on May 1 that households in parts of Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina, can now respond online to the 2026 Census Test. The questionnaire is available for residents who have received a mailed invitation with a unique Census ID.
The test aims to evaluate new methods and innovations for future census efforts. According to the Census Bureau, about 81,000 households in Huntsville and 73,600 in Spartanburg are included in this phase. Each household receives an invitation expected around May 1 with instructions on how to access the online form.
Residents can use any computer, tablet or smartphone to complete the questionnaire. The survey is only available online and only in English; phone or paper responses will not be accepted. The questions mirror those from the American Community Survey and cover topics such as name, race, sex, citizenship and education. Completing the survey takes approximately 40 minutes.
Households that do not respond may receive up to four reminders by mail. Starting in June, census takers—including specially trained U.S. Postal Service workers—will visit homes that have not responded as part of a pilot program with USPS for this test cycle.
All responses are confidential under federal law and used solely for statistical purposes. The results from this test will help inform planning for the official count during the next national census.
