The Census Bureau, vital for surveys like unemployment and crime rates, faces staffing shortages worsened by President Trump’s hiring freeze and cuts, losing 1,300 employees since his second term began. With only 13,230 workers in September 2024, teams are severely understaffed, forcing reliance on distant employees and increasing costs. Field representatives, paid $17-$25 hourly without immediate benefits, face barriers to permanent roles due to a four-year experience requirement, leading to resignations and early retirements. Employees report low morale and fear data quality will suffer due to inadequate geographic coverage. A Commerce Department report highlighted ongoing staffing issues, and Census plans to streamline operations by 2026, focusing on efficiency and automation.
https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/07/census-has-long-struggled-staffing-shortages-employees-say-trump-making-it-worse/406840/
