In 2027, local governments will have the opportunity to influence how much federal funding they get through 2040 for crucial programs that support child well-being, economic development, and infrastructure. This opportunity? The Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA). 

The Local Update of Census Addresses, also known as LUCA, is the main tool the U.S. Census Bureau uses to create the address list for the decennial Census. Although the 2030 Census may seem far off, LUCA provides a critical opportunity for city and county governments, in partnership with advocates and community based organizations, to review and improve the U.S. Census Bureau’s address list, ensuring the Census knows where to send forms so every household is counted accurately. If addresses are missing, outdated, or incomplete, households may never receive Census forms or be counted. This can directly impact federal funding, infrastructure planning, and political representation until 2040.

Much like how Census 2030 preparation starts long before 2030, preparation for LUCA should start before 2027. There are some things counties can do now to prepare, including:

Identify local data sources:

County governments maintain several datasets that provide address data, but no single dataset provides a complete picture of local housing. Counties can prepare for LUCA by identifying these datasets and cross-referencing data to identify missing units, duplicate records, or inconsistent addressing to fill gaps. Key data sources can include 911 lists, property tax and assessment records, building permits, and utility services data. County governments maintain several datasets that provide address data, but no single dataset provides a complete picture of local housing. Counties can prepare for LUCA by identifying these datasets and cross-referencing data to identify missing units, duplicate records, or inconsistent addressing to fill gaps. Key data sources can include 911 lists, property tax and assessment records, building permits, and utility services data.

Engaging Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Experts:

GIS experts, including those who work for local government, 911 service administrators, or universities, play a central role in maintaining local spatial data that maps out address points, parcels, road networks, and more. This spatial data can help identify housing units that may be missing in other data sources. Strong GIS data will form the backbone of any LUCA submission, making early coordination essential.

Double-check multi-family housing and properties:

Counties with large numbers of apartment complexes, multiple families living on one property, duplexes, and mobile home parks face unique challenges to getting counted by the Census. These properties are often underrepresented or inconsistently recorded, particularly when multiple units within a building or houses on a property are not properly identified. To prepare, local governments can verify unit counts with property managers and housing authorities, review mobile home parks for consistency between lot numbers and assigned addresses, and identify informal housing arrangements – such as multi-generational family homes – that may not appear in official records.

Focus on areas impacted by natural disasters:

Counties that have experienced floods, tornadoes, or other disasters need to take extra steps to ensure their address data reflects the ways natural disasters impact housing stock. This includes identifying addresses that no longer exist and areas where multiple families now live on one property, as well as ensuring new construction is reflected in address lists. Without these updates, outdated addresses may remain on Census lists while new housing goes uncounted.

Next year, counties will have the opportunity to influence 13 years’ worth of federal funding and political representation – and, as shown in the map below, many more Kentucky counties and cities can get involved and set a strong foundation for a complete count.

Learn more about key dates, updates, and ways to prepare on the Census Bureau’s LUCA 2030 Hub.