Basic CPS Demographics_SupportingStatementA_Final_10_30_2025

OMB Information Collection Request

Supporting Statement A

U.S. Department of Commerce

U.S. Census Bureau

Current Population Survey (CPS) Basic Demographic Items

OMB Control Number 0607-0049

ABSTRACT

The Current Population Survey (CPS) has been the source of official government statistics on employment and unemployment since 1942. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Census Bureau jointly sponsor the basic monthly survey. The Census Bureau also prepares and conducts all the field work.

The CPS is the primary source of monthly labor force statistics. It is used to keep the Nation informed of the economic and social well-being of its people. This survey measures how the economy and labor force are doing across the country and in your community.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

This request is for approval for extension of a currently approved collection of basic demographic information in the Current Population Survey (CPS). The CPS Basic Demographics are currently approved through October 31, 2025, with OMB Control Number 0607-0049.

Authority for the collection of this information for the CPS is provided under 13 U.S.C. Sections 8(b), 141, and 182, and 29 U. S. C. Section 2.

The CPS is the primary source of monthly labor force statistics. It is used to keep the Nation informed of the economic and social well-being of its people. This survey measures how the economy and labor force are doing across the country and in your community. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts this survey in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Personal information collected includes age, marital status, sex, Armed Forces status, education, race, ethnicity, family income, etc. It asks questions about employment, and in certain months includes questions about education, health, family income, housing, and other important subjects.

Furnishing this information is voluntary. There are no consequences for not providing the requested information. However, cooperation in obtaining this much needed information is extremely important to ensure complete and accurate results.

The Census Bureau provides the BLS with data files and tables. The BLS seasonally adjusts, analyzes, and publishes the results for the labor force data in conjunction with the demographic characteristics. In accordance with the OMB's request, the Census Bureau and the BLS divide the clearance request in order to reflect the joint sponsorship and funding of the CPS program. Title 13, United States Code, Sections 8(b), 141, and 182 authorize collection of the demographic items in the CPS. See Attachment F for the full text of these statutes. Title 29, United States Code, Section 2 authorizes the collection of labor force data in the CPS. The justification that follows is in support of the demographic data.

The demographic information collected in the CPS provides a unique set of data on selected characteristics for the civilian noninstitutional population. We use these data in conjunction with other data, particularly the monthly labor force data, as well as periodic supplement data. We also use these data independently for internal analytic research and for evaluation of other surveys. In addition, we need these data to correctly control estimates of other characteristics to the proper proportions of age, sex, race, and ethnicity.

In addition to the demographic questions, we have included the questions needed to make contact with the household. These include introductions, determining the correct respondent, and verifying the address. These questions are referred to as the “Front” questions. Also involved in maintaining contact with the household are the “Back” questions. These questions collect telephone numbers, best time to contact, and thank the respondent for their cooperation. These questions are needed to do the interview and maintain contact with the household throughout the survey.

In addition to the contact and basic demographic information, questions may be added to the CPS on an “as-needed” basis, in the aftermath of a severe weather event, to determine the number of household members displaced as a result of the event. This is a small battery of questions, consisting of only one question for the vast majority of households. For those households where someone evacuated from the home, even temporarily, follow-up questions ask who evacuated, where they evacuated to, and when they returned home. These questions will not change over the period of this clearance request. They will appear in the CPS for several months, and once deemed no longer needed, they will be removed.

Attachment B-4 provides a listing of the proposed “as-needed” items. A nonsubstantive change request will be submitted to request permission to make this minor modification to the data collection instrument, if and when the need arises.

This request also asks for clearance for the forms that are used in conjunction with the CPS. These forms include:

Form No. Description Attachment

CPS-263, Advance letters sent to new D-1

CPS-263(SP), households prior to the

first-month interview

CPS-264, Advance letters sent to D-2

CPS-264(SP), returning households prior to

the fifth-month interview

CPS-266 Thank you cards sent to D-3

households at the conclusion

of the eighth interview

BC-1433, Fact Sheet for the CPS E-1

BC-1433(SP)

CPS-692 Monthly Flow of the CPS E-2

BC-1428, How the Census Bureau Keeps E-3

BC-1428(SP) Your Information Strictly

Confidential

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

We use the CPS data on household size and composition, age, education, ethnicity, and marital status to compile monthly averages or other aggregates for national and sub-national estimates. We use these data in four principal ways: in association with other data, such as monthly labor force or periodic supplement publications; for internal analytic research; for evaluation of other surveys and survey results; and as a general purpose sample and survey.

The demographic data are central to the publication of all labor force data in the BLS' monthly report Employment and Earnings. The data set that results from combining the monthly labor force data with the demographic data provides analysts with the ability to understand labor force patterns of many subpopulation groups. This is particularly important since the federal government often directs initiatives at special groups that historically have not conformed to general labor force participation patterns.

Analysts also use the demographic data in association with CPS supplement visualizations and publications. (Supplements are described later in this section.) For example, the School Enrollment Historical Time Series Visualizations provide a visual presentation of data from the CPS School Enrollment Supplement. Comparably, researchers are able to characterize the population within the subject area of the many supplements conducted in conjunction with the CPS. For instance, the Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) identifies which subpopulation groups, as established by the demographic variables, experience the highest incidence of poverty. While we collect and support independently the demographic variables, the labor force data, and the supplement inquiries, their use as a combined data set enhances the utility of each.

The Census Bureau also uses the demographic data extensively for internal analytic work. For example, we use these data to develop estimates of family and household types and metropolitan and nonmetropolitan populations. We use these estimates to identify population trends between decennial censuses and to analyze the growth and distribution of various racial and ethnic groups. We may then use this information in preparing reports on these subjects or in determining the accuracy of population controls used throughout the Census Bureau. As is noted below, we use the demographic data to improve our postcensal population estimates (that is, the components of emigration and undocumented immigration).

Also, we use the CPS as a source for other survey samples. A household remains in the CPS sample for 16 months. Other surveys conducted by the Census Bureau may use a CPS sample when it is no longer part of the CPS. The ongoing American Time Use Survey, sponsored by the BLS uses expired CPS sample. By using the CPS demographics to select their samples, other surveys have been able to avoid screening samples and to obtain accurate estimates by demographics.

Another use of the demographic data is in evaluating other survey results. For example, analysts control the results of the National American Housing Survey to the CPS monthly averages of households. Similarly, in order to determine the plausibility of the results of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), analysts continuously compare the data on household and family composition from the SIPP to the CPS monthly household and family composition data.

The Census Bureau often uses the CPS as a model and resource for improving the efficiency and quality of other surveys. For example, the Census Bureau designed some items for the SIPP from the CPS. Academics and researchers have historically used the CPS to better understand the many complexities associated with sample surveys and household interviews in general.

In addition to the collection of demographic and labor force data, the CPS is also a major vehicle for the collection of supplemental questions on various socio-economic topics. In most months of the year, we ask supplemental questions after asking the basic labor force questions of all eligible people in a household, thereby maximizing the utility of the CPS sample. We also collect annual data on work experience, income, migration (ASEC), and school enrollment of the population (October supplement). In addition, we collect biennial, but separately funded, data on fertility and birth expectations of women of child-bearing age (June), voting and registration (November) and child support (April). The BLS, the Census Bureau, other government agencies, and private groups sponsor the supplements. Attachment C is a list of the CPS supplements scheduled for 2025 and 2026. All of these supplements use the demographic items covered here as classification variables.

Discontinuance of demographic data in the CPS would impair the determination of changes in the country's economy, as these changes differentially affect various subpopulation groups and would lessen the government's ability to react to the changes properly and quickly. Discontinuance also would mean the loss of the benchmark of demographic data for many other surveys.

The basic CPS front, demographic, and back items (including coverage items and other non-labor force items) are illustrated in Attachment B-1, B-2, and B-3.

Information quality is an integral part of the pre-dissemination review of the information disseminated by the Census bureau (fully described in the Census Bureau’s Information Quality Guidelines). Information quality is also integral to the information collections conducted by the Census Bureau and is incorporated into the clearance process required by the Paperwork Reduction Act.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also, describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

Since January 1994, we have been collecting both the demographic and the labor force data using computer-assisted interviewing. We deem the use of personal visits and telephone interviews using computer-assisted telephone interviewing and computer-assisted personal interviewing the most appropriate collection methodology given existing available information technology. We are currently conducting field tests for the use of the Internet as a response mode, to improve both the respondent experience during the survey and the response rate. CPS program leadership from the Census Bureau and BLS have agreed that modernization is needed to ensure the sustainability of the CPS. The Census Bureau and BLS are earnestly working to improve and modernize the operations of CPS. One of the largest efforts of this process is the planned introduction of an Internet self-response mode in 2027.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Question 2.

The demographic data collected in the CPS must be collected in conjunction with the labor force data in order for the labor force information to be most useful; therefore, although we collect demographic data in conjunction with almost all surveys, we need to continue its present collection in the CPS. There is no other current data source available that provides as comprehensive a set of statistics for analysis as described in question 2 above.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

The collection of CPS demographic information does not involve small businesses or other small entities.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

Title 29, United States Code, Section 2 requires the BLS to publish, at least once a month, complete statistics on levels and month-to-month changes in employment and unemployment. The labor force data cannot be fully interpreted and put to practical use without the demographic data. In addition, less frequent collection would also mean a disruption in a primary source of national demographic data.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

• requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

• requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

• requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

• requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in- aid, or tax records for more than three years;

• in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

• requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

• that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

• requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

This data collection will be consistent with the general information collection guidelines of

5 CFR 1320.5

BLS began the phased implementation of the revised 2024 SPD15 standards in September. CPS will also meet the March 28, 2029 deadline for this transition, as set by OMB.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publications in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8 (d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years - even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

The following people have been in continuous consultation concerning the development of the demographic items:

Reid Rottach

Senior Survey Methodologist

Office of Survey Methods Research

Bureau of Labor Statistics

(202-691-6378)

Nicholas Johnson

Chief, Division of Employment and Unemployment Analysis

Bureau of Labor Statistics

(202-691-6378)

In addition to the above, a statement soliciting comments for improving the CPS data is prominently placed in all Census Bureau publications that cite the CPS data. We include a similar statement in the technical documentation that accompanies the microdata files. We published a notice of our intent to ask the demographic questions during the CPS in the

June 27, 2025, edition of the Federal Register (USBC-2025-0009). We received two comments in response to this notice, requesting the Census Bureau to do the following:

• Place emphasis on the importance of collecting information, and providing more disaggregated data, on Asian American employment status;

• Continue to implement the 2024 SPD 15 standards;

• Increase analysis of children, especially young children (age 0-4); and

• Analyze households with two biological parents, looking at the race and ethnicity of their children compared to the race of the parents, to understand how parents think about racial and ethnic inheritance.

In response to these requests, the CPS program will consider these comments in regard to the data collection, consulting with BLS on the impacts of such analysis, while also looking to other national household surveys for their input on the matter.

Finally, the advance letter (Attachments D-1 and D-2) provides respondents with an address at the Census Bureau to which they can submit general comments on the survey, specifically those regarding respondent burden.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

We do not make any payments or provide any gifts to individuals participating in the CPS.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy. If the collection requires a systems of records notice (SORN) or privacy impact assessment (PIA), those should be cited and described here.

The Census Bureau will collect data in compliance with OMB Circular A-130. Each sample household receives an advance letter approximately one week before the start of CPS interviewing (see Attachments D-1 and D-2). The letter includes the information required by the Paperwork Reduction Act, explains the voluntary nature of the survey, and states the estimated time required for participating in the survey. Interviewers must ask if the respondent received the letter and, if not, provide a copy and allow the respondent sufficient time to read the contents. Also, interviewers provide households with the pamphlet, The U.S. Census Bureau Respects Your Privacy and Protects Your Personal Information and Fact Sheet for the Current Population Survey (see Attachments E-1 and E-3).

All information given by respondents to Census Bureau employees is held in strict confidence. Federal law requires that your answers are kept confidential (Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9) and protects your privacy under the Privacy Act. Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data. Beginning in 2026, the CPS advance letters will contain the Cybersecurity statement. The letters are printed in large quantities so as to last for several months. We recently printed a large quantity to serve for the remainder of this calendar year. In order to avoid discarding a large amount of letters, the Cybersecurity language will be added to the letters for the printing scheduled this November, to be used for 2026.

Disclosure of the information provided to us is permitted under the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) and may be shared with other Census Bureau staff for work-related purposes identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notice COMMERCE/Census-COMMERCE/Census-3, Demographic Survey Collection (Census Bureau Sampling Frame).

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

There are no sensitive questions in the demographic portion of the CPS.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.

• Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

• If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens.

• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included under ‘Annual Cost to Federal Government’ (Item #14).

The total estimated annual respondent burden for the interview will be 66,080 hours. We base this estimate on interviewing 59,000 households on a monthly basis. The sample size includes the extra households added to the monthly CPS as part of the expansion provided by the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) funding. The estimated average interview length per month per household of this operation for the front, back and demographics is 5.6 minutes. We base these estimates on the average interview time in any month; however, the time spent on the collection of demographic information is highly dependent on the month-in-sample of the household. We calculated the burden estimates shown in this package based on the full demographic battery of questions.

There are two ways to express the burden hours for the CPS. One way is the total estimated burden, given above as 66,080 hours, which covers the entire survey. This burden reflects the introductory items in the front of the survey, the demographic items, the labor force items, and the items in the back of the survey that serve to conclude the questions and thank the respondent for their time. Another way to express the burden hours is the estimate for the demographic items only. The 60-day Federal Register Notice provided the estimate for the demographic items only, which is 17,700 hours.

A household in the CPS is in sample for four consecutive months one year and for the corresponding time period one year later. (This is the 4-8-4 rotation pattern.) We complete all the demographic information in the first-month interview and update it during the remaining seven months. In the subsequent months, all we require is verification of the household roster and making changes and updates as necessary. The time estimate given here is the average respondent time that was required to complete the introductory items, the demographic questions, and closing contact questions, in an average household across all months-in-sample.

The estimated total annual respondent cost burden is based on the estimated respondent hour burden, which is 66,080 hours. Therefore, the estimated total annual respondent cost burden based on these hours is $2,398,704. For individuals, the wage rate is $36.30 per hour based on hourly earnings for employees as reported by BLS.

12A. Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

Type of Respondent	Expected Number of Respondents	Number of Responses per Respondent	Average Burden per Response (in hours)	Total Burden Hours
CPS Household Respondent	708,000	1	.0933	66,080

12B. Estimated Annualized Burden Costs

Type of Respondent	Total Burden Hours	Hourly Wage Rate	Total Respondent Costs (rounded to nearest dollar)
Household Respondent	66,080	$36.30	$2,398,704
Total	66,080		$2,398,704

13. Provide an estimate for the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected on the burden worksheet).

• The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation, maintenance, and purchase of services component. The estimates should consider costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

• If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collections services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

• Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

There are no direct costs to the respondent other than that of their time to respond.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

Agencies may also aggregate cost estimates from Question 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.

The estimated cost to the government is expected to be $100 million in fiscal year (FY) 2025 for the full CPS data collection program as administered by the Census Bureau. The BLS will contribute approximately $60 million through an interagency transfer of funds to the Census Bureau that covers costs associated with the labor force and disability data collected in the survey. A direct appropriation of $20 million from the SCHIP also contributes to the CPS program to fund the additional sample that is required for the precision requirements of health insurance data from the ASEC to the CPS. The Census Bureau will contribute about $12 million for the collection of demographic data in FY 2025. The remaining funds are received from various agencies to fund supplements and other projects.

Additionally, BLS will spend approximately $8 million for review and dissemination of the labor force data.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in ROCIS.

There is no change in burden.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

The information collected in the CPS is made available to the public through the Internet on the BLS/Census Bureau CPS Web site (Current Population Survey (CPS) (census.gov). We only release information that has been sanitized such that we do not identify any individuals’ data. The publication date of the CPS demographic data varies depending on which data we analyze in conjunction with the demographics. For example, when we associate the demographic data with the basic labor force data, as we do each month, we release the data 19 days after the start of interviewing. When we associate the demographic data with the ASEC, we release the data approximately five months after we complete interviewing.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

Respondents’ length of participation in the CPS is not likely to coincide with the expiration date of this clearance. To avoid confusion that may arise from this fact and given that the CPS has been in place for over 70 years and the basic CPS interview has remained relatively unchanged over the past 10 years, we request a waiver of the requirement to display the expiration date.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions."

The agency certifies compliance with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

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