Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Program: A Guide for Congress

July 15, 2026
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What is LUCA?  

The Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Program is one of the only opportunities for local, tribal and state governments to contribute directly to the accuracy of the census in their respective jurisdictions. LUCA is an opportunity for local governments to review and help update the list of addresses that will receive mailings and in-person follow up during the 2030 decennial census.  

Local governments play a critical role in ensuring accurate and updated address files by participating in LUCA, which runs from 2027 to 2029. During LUCA, local governments review and revise the MAF for their communities. This is the only opportunity for local, tribal and state governments to ensure current addresses are complete and comprehensive. 

Local governments are best positioned to identify living quarters missing from the census address list such as housing units built since the 2020 Census or those not visible from the street, or apartment units in larger structures.  

If a household isn’t on the census address list, it is likely to be missed in 2030.   

Because the census relies on this address list to determine where to send forms or census enumerators, any missing address can result in an entire household being left uncounted. If an address is not listed, the Census Bureau will remain unaware that it has missed that household or facility. 

Why was the LUCA Program created?  

The LUCA Program was created by Congress in 1994 to address the fact that the 1990 Census was measurably less accurate than the one prior. Congressional frustration with the outcome led to consideration of ways to improve the accuracy of the census address list. LUCA proved to be a successful solution because it allows local, tribal and state governments to review its address list, identify missing housing units, and submit information to improve the list under strict confidentiality protocols.  

How can your office help your communities participate? 

  • Let local governments know it’s happening: In the leadup to 2020, only 21.1% of invited governments participated in the LUCA program. Many communities are not aware of the program, why the program is a useful investment, and how to participate. Any information your office can provide to municipalities will help them make an informed decision on whether or not to participate. This may include highlights in a regular newsletter, mentioning it during town hall meetings, and reaching out directly to communities that are fast growing, rural, have significant group quarters institutions (e.g. university dorms, nursing homes/senior living facilities, correctional institutions), or accessory dwellings for residential use (e.g. garages, sheds). 
  • Share why accurate census numbers are important: The decennial census is more than just a population count; it’s the foundation for how federal resources and political representation are distributed across the country. For cities, towns and villages, an accurate census ensures fair funding for essential services like roads, schools, housing, and emergency response. It also informs decisions made by businesses, developers, nonprofits, and county and state governments. 
  • To see how much census-directed funding went to your state, check out the Project on Government Oversight’s Census Spending: Fact Sheets by State. 
  • Connect communities with resources: Like other U.S. Census Bureau activities, municipalities are asked to invest their own time and resources into a federal operation without funding being offered. Ensure that municipalities know who they can turn to when they need help with technical assistance or partnering. Examples include: the National League of Cities, which is offering monthly office hours until the LUCA Program concludes; their county, regional council, and state partners; and the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Key Dates 

  • 2026: Review past LUCA participation and identify stakeholder networks that may assist with LUCA tasks, identify potential funding sources, build and check local address record files, compare local address counts to Census Bureau counts for blocks, in order to identify areas that are at greatest risk for address problems. 
  • May 2027: The highest elected official will receive an invitation to participate in LUCA. 
  • May 2027-August 2027: Period where local governments can engage in training and hands on practice using the LUCA tools, provided by the Census Bureau. 
  • October 2027-March 2028: LUCA portal open. Municipalities can submit suggestions to add, delete, or update the geographic location of residential addresses. 
  • March 2029: Municipalities receive feedback on LUCA submissions and have an option to submit an appeal within 60 days of receiving that feedback. 
  • September 2029: LUCA ends. Municipalities must destroy all confidential address-level materials. A summary of actions that the Census Bureau took as a result of a municipality’s submissions can be maintained. 

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