2020 Census Count Question Resolution Program

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2020 Census Count Question Resolution Program

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2020 Census Count Question Resolution
Operation (CQR) Participant Guide
Instructions for Digital Participants and Paper Participants
December 2021
OMB Control No. 0679-0879
Expiration Date MM/DD/20YY

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U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Background ......................................................................................................................... vii
A.

Operation Overview........................................................................................................ vii

Eligible Participants........................................................................................................ viii

Case Types ....................................................................................................................... ix

Supporting Documentation ............................................................................................. xi

Getting Help and Using this Guide................................................................................. xiii

Part 1

Introduction to 2020 Census CQR ........................................................................ 1

Chapter 1 Tools and Materials for 2020 Census CQR ............................................................ 8
1.1

Address Count Listing Files Viewer .................................................................................. 8

1.2

CQR Block Count List Files................................................................................................ 9

1.3

2021 Partnership Shapefiles .......................................................................................... 11

1.4

2020 Census Block Maps ............................................................................................... 12

1.4.1 Index Maps ................................................................................................................ 16
1.4.2 Parent Maps .............................................................................................................. 16
1.4.3 Inset Maps ................................................................................................................. 18
1.5

Address List Template File ............................................................................................. 19

1.5.1 Acceptable Address Types......................................................................................... 26
1.5.1.1 City Style Addresses ........................................................................................................................27
1.5.1.2 Non-City Style Addresses ................................................................................................................27
1.5.1.3 Group Quarters Addresses ..............................................................................................................28

Chapter 2 Reviewing the 2020 Census Results.................................................................... 29
2.1

Using CQR Block Count List Files with 2021 Partnership Shapefiles ............................. 29

2.2

Using CQR Block Count List Files with 2020 Census Block Maps................................... 31

Part 2

Digital Participants ............................................................................................ 33

Chapter 3 Preparing a Digital Case ..................................................................................... 34
3.1

Preparing a Digital Case with a Boundary Discrepancy ................................................. 34

3.1.1 Using the 2021 Partnership Shapefiles ..................................................................... 35
3.1.2 Using the 2020 Census Block Maps........................................................................... 35
3.1.3 Using the Address List Template File (Digital)........................................................... 37
3.2

Preparing a Digital Case with a Housing Count Discrepancy ......................................... 37

3.3

Conducting Quality Checks and Finalizing a Digital Submission .................................... 38

3.3.1 Quality Checks for a Digital Case with a Boundary Discrepancy............................... 38
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

3.3.2 Quality Checks for a Digital Case with a Housing Count Discrepancy ...................... 39
3.3.3 Finalizing a Digital Submission .................................................................................. 40
Chapter 4 Submitting a Digital Case ................................................................................... 41
4.1

Using the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM) ......................................................... 41

4.2

Using Traceable Shipping Methods ............................................................................... 43

Part 3

Paper Participants ............................................................................................. 45

Chapter 5 Preparing a Paper Case ...................................................................................... 46
5.1

Preparing a Paper Case with a Boundary Discrepancy .................................................. 46

5.1.1 Using Adobe Acrobat to Correct Boundaries ............................................................ 47
5.1.2 Using Hard Copy Maps to Correct Boundaries ......................................................... 47
5.1.3 Using the Address List Template File (Paper) ........................................................... 48
5.2

Preparing a Paper Case with a Housing Count Discrepancy .......................................... 49

5.3

Conducting Quality Checks and Finalizing a Paper Submission..................................... 50

5.3.1 Quality Checks for a Paper Case with a Boundary Discrepancy................................ 51
5.3.2 Quality Checks for a Paper Case with a Housing Count Discrepancy ....................... 51
5.3.3 Finalizing a Paper Submission ................................................................................... 52
Chapter 6 Submitting a Paper Case .................................................................................... 53
Part 4

Next Steps for 2020 Census CQR ........................................................................ 54

Appendix A

Other Materials Available for 2020 Census CQR ............................................ A-1

2020 Census P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data Files and Geographic Products ............... A-1

Census Block-based Work Maps ................................................................................... A-1

Appendix B
B1

Partnership Shapefile Reference Information ............................................... B-1

Eligible Participants and Relevant Shapefile Layers ................................................... B-10

B1.1 Tribal Areas – Federally recognized American Indian Tribe .................................. B-10
B1.2 Tribal Areas – Alaska Native Regional Corporations .............................................. B-11
B1.3 Tribal Areas – Alaska Native Villages...................................................................... B-11
B1.4 State and Equivalents ............................................................................................. B-12
B1.5 County and Equivalents.......................................................................................... B-12
B1.6 Minor Civil Divisions ............................................................................................... B-13
B1.7 Consolidated Cities ................................................................................................. B-13
B1.8 Incorporated Places................................................................................................ B-14
B2

Data Dictionary Tables ................................................................................................ B-14

Appendix C
U.S. Census Bureau

Acceptable Address Type Examples .............................................................. C-1
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iii

Appendix D

Puerto Rico Acceptable Address Type Examples ........................................... D-1

Appendix E

MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Codes ...................................................... E-1

Appendix F

Boundary Verification Materials ................................................................... F-1

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Locating a GU's 2020 Census Counts for Total Population and Total Housing................. 1
Table 2: Details Regarding the CQR Block Count List Files ........................................................... 10
Table 3: Details Regarding the Address List Template File ........................................................... 20
Table 4: Steps to Unzip and Stage the 2021 Partnership Shapefiles ........................................... B-1
Table 5: Important 2021 Partnership Shapefiles for 2020 Census CQR ...................................... B-8
Table 6: Census Blocks - Current Layer (tabblock)..................................................................... B-15
Table 7: Census Tract - Current Layer (curtracts) ...................................................................... B-16
Table 8: All Lines Layer (edges) .................................................................................................. B-17
Table 9: Alaska Native Regional Corporations Layer (anrc) ....................................................... B-18
Table 10: American Indian Areas – Legal Layer (aial) ................................................................ B-19
Table 11: American Indian Areas – Statistical Layer (aias) ........................................................ B-20
Table 12: American Indian Tribal Subdivisions - Legal Layer (aitsl) ........................................... B-21
Table 13: American Indian Tribal Subdivisions - Statistical Layer (aitss) ................................... B-22
Table 14: Area Landmarks Layer (arealm) ................................................................................. B-23
Table 15: Census Designated Places Layer (cdp) ....................................................................... B-24
Table 16: Consolidated Cities Layer (concity) ............................................................................ B-25
Table 17: Counties and Equivalent Areas Layer (county) .......................................................... B-26
Table 18: County Subdivisions - Legal Layer (mcd) .................................................................... B-27
Table 19: Geographic Offsets Layer (offset) .............................................................................. B-28
Table 20: Hawaiian Home Lands Layer (hhl).............................................................................. B-29
Table 21: Hydrography - Area Layer (water) ............................................................................. B-30
Table 22: Incorporated Places Layer (place) .............................................................................. B-31
Table 23: Point Landmarks Layer (pointlm) ............................................................................... B-32
Table 24: Roads Layer (roads) .................................................................................................... B-32
Table 25: States and Equivalent Areas Layer (state) ................................................................. B-33
Table 26: Subbarrios Layer (submcd) ........................................................................................ B-33
Table 27: Address Ranges Relationship Table (addr) ................................................................ B-34

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Example of the Address Count Listing Files Viewer with a Block Selected ..................... 9
Figure 2: Example of a CQR Block Count List File with Handwritten Corrections ........................ 11
Figure 3: Map Categories on the 2020 Census - Census Block Maps Website ............................. 13
Figure 4: Example of a Block-to-Map-Sheet Relationship File in Notepad................................... 15
Figure 5: Example of a Large Format Index Map .......................................................................... 16
Figure 6: Example of a Large Format Parent Map ........................................................................ 17
Figure 7: Example of a Large Format Parent Map (Zoomed View) .............................................. 17
Figure 8: Example of a Large Format Inset Map ........................................................................... 18
Figure 9: Example of a Large Format Map Margin ....................................................................... 19
Figure 10: Example of a Census Block-based Work Map Index Sheet......................................... A-3
Figure 11: Example of a Census Block-based Work Map Parent Sheet ....................................... A-3
Figure 12: Example of a Census Block-based Work Map Legend ................................................ A-4
Figure 13: Acceptable Address Types in the Address List Template File ..................................... C-1
Figure 14: Address List Template File "Part A" (Zoomed View) .................................................. C-2
Figure 15: Address List Template File "Part B" (Zoomed View)................................................... C-2
Figure 16: Address List Template File "Part C" (Zoomed View)................................................... C-3
Figure 17: Acceptable Address Types in the Address List Template File (Puerto Rico)...............D-1
Figure 18: Address List Template File (Puerto Rico) "Part A" (Zoomed View) ............................D-2
Figure 19: Address List Template File (Puerto Rico) "Part B" (Zoomed View) ............................D-2
Figure 20: Address List Template File (Puerto Rico) "Part C" (Zoomed View).............................D-3

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

BACKGROUND
The Census Bureau estimates that completing this program will take 5.2 hours on average. Send
comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to .
This collection has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The eightdigit OMB approval number that appears on the introductory email/letter and on the cover
page of this material confirms this approval. If this number were not displayed, the Census
Bureau could not conduct this operation. The Census Bureau conducts this operation under the
legal authority of the Title 13 U.S. Code, Section 141.

Operation Overview

In December 2021, the U.S. Census Bureau announced the 2020 Census Count Question
Resolution operation (2020 Census CQR) by distributing an introduction letter and flyer to the
highest elected or appointed official in each eligible tribal, state, and local governmental units
(GUs) in the United States, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This operation is
open for voluntary participation from January 3, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
The 2020 Census CQR provides a mechanism for GUs to request the Census Bureau review their
2020 Census housing counts. Specifically, tribal chairpersons and the highest elected officials
(or their representative) from tribal, state, and local GUs in the 50 states, the District of
Columbia, and Puerto Rico can submit a CQR case to request review of their official 2020
Census count of housing and to correct boundary and housing count issues. The 2020 Census
CQR is focused on housing inventory (e.g., housing units and group quarters) 1 for specific 2020
tabulation blocks identified by the GU, not the population count 2 for those census blocks, or
the overall population count for the GU.
Through this formal process, the Census Bureau reviews cases received to determine whether
certain geographic or processing errors affected the 2020 Census count of housing (e.g.,
housing units and/or group quarters). Corrections made to housing counts by this operation will
A housing unit may be a single-family home, townhouse, condominium, mobile home, trailer, apartment, group
of rooms, or a single room occupied as a separate living quarters or, if vacant, intended for occupancy as a
separate living quarters. A group quarters is a place where people live or stay, in a group living arrangement,
owned or managed by an entity or organization providing housing and/or services for the residents. This is not a
typical household-type living arrangement. These services may include custodial or medical care as well as other
types of assistance, and residency is commonly restricted to those receiving these services. People living in group
quarters are usually not related to each other. Group quarters include such places as college residence halls,
residential treatment centers, skilled nursing facilities, group homes, military barracks, correctional facilities, and
workers’ dormitories. For detailed descriptions of group quarters types and codes, refer to the 2020 Census Group
Quarters Definitions and Code List.
2
Population counts for a census block or other geographic units below the state level may seem inaccurate due to
disclosure avoidance measures the Census Bureau applies to the published data. Population counts at the block
level have the most “noise” of any geographic level due to use of differential privacy to protect against data
disclosure. Additional information on both disclosure avoidance and differential privacy is available at the
following .
1

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result in the issuance of new, official 2020 Census counts to the tribal chairperson or highest
elected official of all affected GUs, which will also be posted on the CQR website as errata. GUs
may use the revised counts for future programs requiring official 2020 Census data products.
IMPORTANT: The URL for the 2020 Census CQR website is .
The revised counts are integrated into all population estimates released after the 2020 Census
CQR case is closed. The American Community Survey (ACS) and Puerto Rico Community Survey
(PRCS) use population totals from the Population Estimates Program at the incorporated place,
minor civil division, and county levels to adjust the population totals published by the survey.
Thus, to the extent that the population estimates incorporate the 2020 Census CQR results, the
ACS and PRCS will also reflect those revisions.
Note:

The Census Bureau will not incorporate CQR revisions into the 2020 Census data
summary files and tables or re-tabulate any of the other 2020 Census data products.

Eligible Participants

The Census Bureau will only accept cases from the eligible participants listed below. A file of
eligible participants, including the entity identification codes, is available for reference from the
CQR website.
•

Tribal areas, including federally recognized American Indian tribes with reservation and/or offreservation trust lands, Alaska Native Regional Corporations, and Alaska Native villages.
o Federally recognized American Indian tribes can ask the Census Bureau to review their legal
boundary and the housing counts for any of the 2020 tabulation blocks within their
American Indian reservation or off-reservation trust lands.
 A review of statistically defined boundaries (e.g., boundaries of the tribal designated
statistical areas (TDSAs), Oklahoma tribal statistical areas (OTSAs), and OTSA tribal
subdivision) is out of scope for 2020 Census CQR.
o Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANRCs) can ask the Census Bureau to review their legal
boundary and the housing counts for any of the 2020 tabulation blocks within their regional
corporation boundary.
 A review of the statistically defined Alaska Native village statistical area (ANVSA)
boundaries is out of scope for 2020 Census CQR.
o Alaska Native villages can ask the Census Bureau to review the housing counts for any of the
2020 tabulation blocks within their ANVSA.
 A review of the statistically defined ANVSA boundaries is out of scope for 2020 Census
CQR.

•

States and equivalent entities (e.g., District of Columbia and Puerto Rico).
o States and equivalent entities can ask the Census Bureau to review their legal boundary and
the housing counts for any of the 2020 tabulation blocks within their jurisdiction.

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States and equivalent entities can also ask the Census Bureau to review the boundaries for
all legally functioning governments within their jurisdiction.
 Hawaii can ask the Census Bureau to review the boundaries for the Hawaiian home
lands and census designated places within their state.
 Puerto Rico can ask the Census Bureau to review the boundaries for their sub-minor civil
divisions (e.g., subbarrios).
 A review of the statistically defined boundaries, such as those for state designated tribal
statistical areas (SDTSAs) is out of scope for 2020 Census CQR.

•

Counties and equivalent entities (e.g., parishes in Louisiana, boroughs in Alaska, municipios in
Puerto Rico).
o Counties and equivalent entities can ask the Census Bureau to review their legal boundary
and the housing counts for any of the 2020 tabulation blocks within their jurisdiction.
o Counties and equivalent entities can also ask the Census Bureau to review the boundaries
for all legally functioning governments within their jurisdiction.
 Counties in Hawaii can also ask the Census Bureau to review the boundaries for the
census designated places within their jurisdiction because they are the equivalent of an
incorporated place.
 Municipios in Puerto Rico can also ask the Census Bureau to review boundaries for their
sub-minor civil divisions (e.g., subbarrios).

•

Minor civil divisions (e.g., townships).
o Minor civil divisions can ask the Census Bureau to review their legal boundary and the
housing counts for any of the 2020 tabulation blocks within their jurisdiction.
o Minor civil divisions can also ask the Census Bureau to review the boundaries for all legally
functioning governments within their jurisdiction.

•

Consolidated cities.
o Consolidated cities can ask the Census Bureau to review their legal boundary and the
housing counts for any of the 2020 tabulation blocks within their consolidated city.

•

Incorporated places (e.g., villages, towns, cities).
o Incorporated places can ask the Census Bureau to review their legal boundary and the
housing counts for any of the 2020 tabulation blocks within their incorporated place.
 Because census designated places in Hawaii are the equivalent of an incorporated place,
they can ask the Census Bureau to review the boundary and housing counts for their
census designated place.

Case Types

There are two case types for 2020 Census CQR: boundary and housing count. A submission can
include both case types.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Boundary cases request a Census Bureau review of legal boundaries3 in effect as of
January 1, 2020, and the associated housing affected by the boundaries. Boundary cases may
correct the inaccurate recording of boundaries legally in effect on January 1, 2020 and update
the housing counts for the blocks affected by the boundary correction if the GU supplies the
required individual, residential address records for the affected blocks.
Boundary cases must include:
•

A map (digital or hard copy) indicating the portion of the boundary that the Census Bureau
potentially depicted incorrectly, as well as depicting the corrected boundary.
o Locally created maps must include the 2020 tabulation blocks and block numbers associated
with the boundary correction.
o GUs must follow boundary correction guidance as detailed in the Boundary and Annexation
Survey (BAS) Respondent Guide that applies to the method of CQR participation. Non-tribal,
digital participants use “2021 BAS Guide – Digital” while tribal digital participants use “2021
BAS Guide – Tribal Digital.” Both non-tribal and tribal paper participants use “2021 BAS
Guide – Paper.” These guides are available for download on the CQR website. Additional
guides are on the CQR website for participants that plan to use the Geographic Partnership
Update Software (GUPS) to prepare their CQR case.

•

A list (digital or hard copy) of residential addresses in the 2020 tabulation blocks affected by the
incorrect boundary, indicating their correct coordinates or location in relation to the boundary.
This list must follow the style from the Address List Template File provided by the Census Bureau
as detailed in section 1.5.

•

Supporting documentation, as described in section D of the guide. Note that supporting
documentation for boundary cases may include legal documentation for certain circumstances.

Note:

Boundary changes effective after January 1, 2020, boundary corrections submitted
without individual address records, and boundary corrections that do not affect
housing counts are out of scope for 2020 Census CQR. GUs are encouraged to
participate in the annual Boundary and Annexation Survey to make boundary updates
that are out of scope for CQR. To learn more review the BAS website:
.

Housing count cases request a Census Bureau review of the geographic location or placement
of housing within specified 2020 tabulation blocks (i.e., a potential geocoding issue), as well as a
review of the enumeration records for census processing errors that excluded valid housing
(i.e., a potential coverage issue).

With one exception (e.g., census designated places in Hawaii) only legal boundaries are in scope for inclusion with
a 2020 Census CQR boundary case. Because census designated places in Hawaii are treated as legal boundaries
(per an agreement between the state and the Census Bureau), the state of Hawaii and its counties can request the
Census Bureau review, and potentially correct, the boundaries of census designated places within their
jurisdiction. Census designated places in Puerto Rico and the tribal statistical areas mentioned as eligible
geographies for review are ineligible for submission as a boundary case.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Note:

Housing count cases may also be termed “count cases” in various 2020 Census CQR
materials; however, GUs can only request a review of housing counts during 2020
Census CQR. They cannot request a review of population counts.

Housing count cases with geocoding issues may correct inaccurate geographic locations or
placement of housing within the correct GU legal boundaries and 2020 tabulation blocks.
Housing count cases with coverage issues may result in the addition of specific housing
identified during the census process, but erroneously excluded from enumeration. Coverage
corrections are limited to census processing errors, i.e., erroneous exclusions of housing
identified as existing in census records as of April 1, 2020.
Housing count cases must include:
•

A list (digital or hard copy) that includes the contested 2020 tabulation blocks in their GU, their
current housing counts, and the corrected housing counts for both housing units and group
quarters as of April 1, 2020. This list must follow the style from the CQR Block Count List Files
provided by the Census Bureau as detailed in section 1.2.

•

Supporting documentation, as described in section D.

Note:

Please be aware that corrections to the housing counts may not change the total
housing and/or population counts for the GU. Situations arise where the redistribution
of housing counts between blocks will change the respective housing counts for those
blocks, but not result in an overall increase/decrease for the GU.

Supporting Documentation

The Census Bureau requires specific information from the GU before committing resources to
investigate a CQR case. The Census Bureau labels this specific information as supporting
documentation. In general, supporting documentation includes information or details that
assist the Census Bureau with reviewing and processing a CQR case. Include supporting
documentation with the CQR case submission .zip file or paper case materials. Use the bullets
below as a checklist when preparing the supporting documentation for your GU’s 2020 Census
CQR case submission.
Supporting documentation for a boundary case includes:
•

Written correspondence from the highest elected or appointed official, or their designated
representative, that:
o Specifies the case disputes the location of a legal boundary within the GU. If the case also
disputes the housing count, then review the information below that outlines the supporting
documentation for a housing count case.
 Consider inclusion of a summary that confirms the contents of the submission, i.e., like
an inventory of the case.
o Discusses and certifies the accuracy and validity of the source materials used to prepare the
case by including information on the creation date/timeframe, usual use, and maintenance
cycle.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)



Source(s) must include the legal boundary in effect as of January 1, 2020 and the
addresses affected by the boundary correction as of April 1, 2020. More recent source
material must include a way to determine the boundary and addresses that were valid
on January 1, 2020 and April 1, 2020, respectively.

•

Confirmation the boundary was legally in effect as of January 1, 2020.
o If required by state law, the GU must also provide evidence the required state agency
approved the boundary change and provide a statement that the boundary is not under
litigation.

•

Legal documentation describing legal boundary changes to the GU, which may include
annexations, incorporations, etc. Local laws, ordinances, or other types of legal documentation
would fulfill this requirement.
o Legal documentation is only required if it is applicable for the boundary correction
submitted for CQR. It may not apply in all instances of boundary cases.
o Legal documentation, as cited in the Boundary and Annexation Survey materials, includes
change type (e.g., annexation, deannexation, boundary correction, and other), authorization
type (e.g., ordinance, resolution, local law, state-level action, and other), documentation
number, and effective date (i.e., month, date, year).

•

Confirmation the individual addresses included in the Address List Template are residential and
were available for occupancy 4 on April 1, 2020.

Supporting documentation for a housing count case includes:
•

Written correspondence from the highest elected or appointed official, or their designated
representative, that:
o Specifies the case disputes the housing counts for one or more 2020 tabulation blocks
within the GU and includes details, if known, about the suspected housing count error(s). If
the case also disputes a GU boundary, review the information above that outlines the
supporting documentation for a boundary case.
 Provide as much detail as possible about the housing count discrepancy to assist the
Census Bureau with its research of your GU’s case. Examples of valid details to include
might be information about the conversion of a commercial building into residential
housing units prior to April 1, 2020, or an incorrect geocode of an address to the
incorrect side of the street.
 Consider inclusion of a summary that confirms the contents of the submission, i.e., like
an inventory of the case.
o Discusses and certifies the accuracy and validity of the source materials used to prepare the
case by including information on the creation date/timeframe, usual use, and maintenance
cycle.
 Source(s) to revise the housing counts must include the addresses as of April 1, 2020.
More recent source material must include a way to determine the addresses that were
valid on April 1,2020.

•

Confirmation that the updated count information includes only residential addresses that
existed and were available for occupancy on April 1, 2020.

The Census Bureau uses the terminology “available for occupancy” to mean the housing was closed to the
elements, i.e., final roof, windows, and doors in place on April 1, 2020.

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IMPORTANT: If the GU’s case asks for a review of both the boundary and housing counts, the
GU must include supporting documentation for both case types.

Getting Help and Using this Guide

The CQR website provides useful content on 2020 Census CQR. A glossary of geographic and
census terminology and a main Census glossary are available online for reference. For questions
not covered in the materials available online or in this guide, contact the Census Bureau by
email at or by phone at (888) 369-3617.
This guide provides specific instruction through “Step – Action and Result(s)” tables, where the
Action is usually a command or action to perform a task and the Result(s) of the action(s)
display in italics. Hyperlinks appear as underlined, light blue text. Because this material
combines instruction for both digital and paper participants, readers can navigate to chapters,
tables, figures, and appendices by use of the Table of Contents and by use of cross-referenced
links shown in bold blue font. Part 1 introduces the operation itself. Part 2 focuses on digital
participation, while Part 3 covers paper participation. Part 4 concludes with the next steps for
the operation. Lastly, the appendices provide important, supplemental information. All
participants use the information within Parts 1 and 4. Digital participants use specific
instructions from Part 2 while paper participants use the instructions in Part 3.
IMPORTANT: The CQR website as well as the tools and materials in support of the 2020 Census
CQR were in the final stages of development when this guide was created. As a
result, the images may vary slightly. Though the images may differ, the overall
instruction, actions, and results remain consistent with what is anticipated in the
finalized versions.

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PART 1

INTRODUCTION TO 2020 CENSUS CQR

This first part of the guide begins by detailing the initial step, reviewing the overall 2020 Census
results. Subsequent chapters in this part of the guide detail the tools and materials for use in
2020 Census CQR and provide two high-level examples for conducting a detailed review of the
2020 Census results.
The initial step for 2020 Census CQR is to review your GU’s overall 2020 Census results to
determine if they align with your GU’s expectations. Table 1 provides the steps to locate the
2020 Census results using the website. Refer to appendix A1 for more
information.
Table 1: Locating a GU's 2020 Census Counts for Total Population and Total Housing
Step

Action and Result(s)
Access and choose Advanced Search.

Step 1

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Step

Action and Result(s)
From the left margin of the page beneath Browse Filters, choose Surveys. This allows for the
selection of the proper dataset to use to conduct your search.

Step 2

In the list of surveys that appear, scroll down to select Decennial Census then select
Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171).

Step 3

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Step

Action and Result(s)
With the Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171) survey still selected, choose the Geography filter along
the left margin of the window and toggle on Show Summary Levels.

Step 4

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Choose the level of geography that matches your GU and continue to select the subsequent
levels of information until you reach the list with your GU. Select Search.
In the example below, Texas is selected in the summary level (second) column, and then rather
than scrolling through the entire list of places in Texas, the image shows “Grand” entered as a
search method in the top of the third column. This reduces the number of places to scroll
through and allows for easier selection of “Grandview city, Texas.” It is important to note that
multiple selections can be made prior to choosing Search.

Step 5

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Step

Action and Result(s)
A new window appears with the results of the search. Table P1 – Race includes the total
population while Table H1 – Occupancy Status includes the total housing unit count.

Step 6

Not shown in the screenshot above is a new table for 2020 known as Table P5 – Group Quarters
Population by Major Group Quarters Type. The new table, shown in the image below taken
from the 2020 Census State (P.L. 94-171) Redistricting Summary File Technical Documentation,
includes 10 fields of information and the total group quarters population by the major group
quarters types.

The screenshots in this table show results from the 2010 Census because at the time of
preparation of this material the 2020 Census information was unavailable. When 2020 Census
CQR begins the tables will reflect 2020 information and Table P5 will be available.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Selecting Table P1 - Race opens with the total population shown at the very top of the table. For
2010, Grandview city, Texas, had total population of 1,561. If the population figure that appears
is not what Grandview anticipates as its total population, they may want to investigate further
by reviewing the information in tables H1 and P5.

Step 7

Selecting Table H1 – Occupancy Status opens with the total housing units shown at the very top
of the table. For 2010, Grandview city, Texas, had a total of 582 housing units. If this housing unit
figure is not what Grandview anticipates, they may want to investigate further by reviewing the
census block level data that is available in the CQR Block Count List Files and/or in the 2020
Address Count Listing Files Viewer. Both of those are described in Chapter 1.

Step 8

IMPORTANT: The total in Table H1 does not include group quarters. To see the group quarters
population information, Grandview city, Texas, would review the results in Table P5 – Group
Quarters Population by Major Group Quarters Type. The information in Table P5 is an indicator
of the presence of a group quarters, but does not provide a count of the group quarters
themselves. If the information in the Table P5 seems incorrect, then additional research is
necessary.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Step

Action and Result(s)
The Clear button at the bottom right of the page clears all selections (geography and survey) so
GUs will have to begin again at Step 3 with reselecting the Survey (e.g., Decennial Census Redistricting Data (P.L. 94-171)) and then reselecting the Geography.

In summary, the total population of the GU is found within Table P1, while the total count of
housing units is in Table H1. The total group quarters population is in Table P5. There is no table
that contains the total count of group quarters.
If, after reviewing the official 2020 Census results using the process described above, a GU
believes its official 2020 Census results are inaccurate, they may use information presented in
Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 of this guide to conduct a more detailed review of their 2020 Census
results. Conducting a detailed review of the 2020 Census results includes a review of the legal
boundary and housing counts by 2020 tabulation blocks. Should a GU identify a discrepancy in
the legal boundary and/or housing counts at the block level that affects their official 2020
Census count, they may wish to submit a case for 2020 Census CQR.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

CHAPTER 1

TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR 2020 CENSUS CQR

This chapter discusses the preferred tools and materials available to conduct a review of the
2020 Census results and to prepare a case for digital and paper participants. Appendix A
describes additional materials available for use in 2020 Census CQR, specifically the 2020
Census P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data Files and Geographic Products and the Census Blockbased Work Maps.
The CQR website provides links to all these materials. Contact the Census Bureau by phone at
(888) 369-3617 or by email at if the GU is unable to
download the materials from the website. Please be aware the Census Bureau also provides the
Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) to prepare a CQR case. Details on GUPS are
included in a separate participant guide.
Note:

The CQR Block Count List Files, 2021 Partnership shapefiles, and 2020 Census Block
Maps have two uses during 2020 Census CQR. They are used to conduct a detailed
review of 2020 Census results and to prepare a CQR case. The Address List Template
File is only used for preparing a boundary case.

The Census Bureau recommends the creation of a local directory on a local computer
workstation or perhaps on a shared network storage area (e.g., a folder named “CQR”) to
organize the CQR materials. Save the materials, whether downloaded from the CQR website or
received in another manner from the Census Bureau, in the newly created directory.

1.1

Address Count Listing Files Viewer

The Address Count Listing Files Viewer is a web-based, map viewer that supplements the
address count listing files with an interactive map of census blocks. Users of this tool can select
a block on the map or use the Search functionality to obtain the same information contained in
the files, such as the total housing in the block. Locate this tool by accessing the following link:
2020 Census Address Count Listing Files Viewer. Searching for a block can be especially useful
rather than panning on-screen to visually locate a block.
The viewer uses address count listing files, also known as block count files, that differ slightly
from the CQR Block Count List Files used in 2020 Census CQR. It will not display the counts in a
manner identical to the CQR Block Count List Files, but it is an effective tool to view the blocks
within a GU and the housing counts within the blocks rather than using the other materials
outlined in this chapter. The viewer does not allow for edits or exports of the data within it;
however, some GUs may wish to conduct the review of their legal boundaries and their 2020
tabulation blocks using this tool instead of the using the materials described in the remainder of
this chapter.
Figure 1 provides a visual of how the viewer appears with a block selected (denoted by
turquoise boundary instead of purple).

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Figure 1: Example of the Address Count Listing Files Viewer with a Block Selected

Note:

The “Search by BLOCK_GEOID” option zooms directly to the specific block if the
complete block code (STATE, COUNTY, TRACT, and BLOCK) is provided. Locate this
option within the Search section along the upper left corner of the viewer or from an
icon that will appear just beneath the Search section.

If a discrepancy in either the counts of total residential or total group quarters is identified, the
GU can determine whether they want to prepare a housing count case. Digital participants use
section 3.2 and paper participants use section 5.2 for details on preparing a housing count case.

1.2

CQR Block Count List Files

The CQR Block Count List Files provide separate housing counts for housing units and group
quarters by 2020 tabulation block for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto
Rico. The Census Bureau makes these files available as comma separated values (.csv) files (i.e.,
comma-delimited text files), for use in a geographic information system (GIS) and in GUPS, and
as Microsoft Excel workbook (.xlsx) files. GUs use this material with the 2021 Partnership
shapefiles (described in section 1.3) or with the 2020 Census Block Maps (described in section
1.4) to review their block level housing counts from the 2020 Census. If a given block level
housing counts differ from the count the GU anticipated, this material becomes a key
component of their CQR case. Instructions for preparing a case using this file are detailed in
sections 3.2 (digital participants) and 5.2 (paper participants).

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

The individual, state-based files contain nine fields of information. Table 2 provides the field
specifications, names, descriptions, and requirements for this material. The last two fields are
blank for entering the GU’s housing count information (e.g., CQRHU for GU’s housing unit
counts and CQRGQ for GU’s group quarters counts). If a GU chooses to create their own file of
corrected housing counts, it must follow the structure outlined below. The Census Bureau will
not accept files in the incorrect format or with inadequate information.
Table 2: Details Regarding the CQR Block Count List Files
Field
Number

Max
Characters

ENTITYID

Field to denote the unique
identification number assigned by the
Census Bureau to each entity. Field is
blank for participant to complete.

Yes. Insert the Entity ID for
the GU on each record with a
revised housing count. Locate
this code on the top of the
Introduction Letter sent to
the Tribal Chair or Highest
Elected/Appointed Official in
December 2021 or from a file
on the CQR website.

STATEFP

Field to denote the two-digit Federal
Information Processing Standards (FIPS)
state code.

Prefilled. DO NOT EDIT.

COUNTYFP

Field to denote the three-digit FIPS
county code.

Prefilled. DO NOT EDIT.

TRACT

Field to denote the six-digit 2020
census tract number, with an implied
decimal point between the fourth and
fifth digit, consisting of a four-digit base
number, including leading zeros, plus
two-digit number suffix, with trailing
zeros. For example, 123401 and
000300.

Prefilled. DO NOT EDIT.

BLOCK

Field to denote the four-digit 2020
tabulation block number uniquely
numbered from 0000 to 9999 within
2020 census tract. The first digit of the
census block identifies the block group.

Prefilled. DO NOT EDIT.

CENSUSHU

Field to denote the total number of
addresses identified as housing units by
data in the Master Address File (MAF).

Prefilled. DO NOT EDIT.

CENSUSGQ

Field to denote the total number of
addresses identified as group quarters
by data in the MAF.

Prefilled. DO NOT EDIT.

U.S. Census Bureau

Field
Name

Field Description

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Required (Yes or No or
Recommended)

Field
Number

Max
Characters

Field
Name

Field Description

Required (Yes or No or
Recommended)

CQRHU

Field to denote the total number of
addresses identified as housing units by
CQR participants.

Yes, if housing count
discrepancy exists for
CENSUSHU; otherwise leave
blank.

CQRGQ

Field to denote the total number of
addresses identified as group quarters
by CQR participants.

Yes, if housing count
discrepancy exists for
CENSUSGQ; otherwise leave
blank.

IMPORTANT: All fields within this file, or within a file created by the GU, must remain in Text
format. This is critical for fields that may include numbers with leading and
trailing zeros (e.g., STATEFP, COUNTYFP, TRACT, and BLOCK) to ensure the
information remains accurate in those fields.
Figure 2 provides a visual of a CQR Block Count List File with handwritten corrections, but the
Census Bureau will also accept housing corrections keyed directly into the template.

Figure 2: Example of a CQR Block Count List File with Handwritten Corrections

1.3

2021 Partnership Shapefiles

The 2021 Partnership shapefiles are extracts of selected geographic and cartographic
information from the Master Address File/Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and
Referencing (MAF/TIGER) System. The version used for 2020 Census CQR, which is the same
version used for the 2021 Boundary and Annexation Survey, includes geographical boundaries
as of January 1, 2020 for the United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Island
Areas. They include polygon features including boundaries of legal and statistical geographic
areas, linear features including roads and hydrography, and point features including landmarks.
This version (PVS_20_v2) is the first partnership shapefile source to include the 2020 tabulation
geography (i.e., the 2020 census tracts and 2020 tabulation blocks). These shapefiles are used
as a reference for the 2020 tabulation blocks and the legal boundaries as of January 1, 2020, by
GUs that are using a GIS or GUPS to participate in 2020 Census CQR.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

IMPORTANT: Regardless of the year (e.g., 2022 or2023) the GU chooses to review the 2020
Census results and prepare a CQR case, the 2021 Partnership shapefiles (e.g., the
PVS_20_v2 file naming convention) is the version of shapefiles required for 2020
Census CQR. This version contains the official boundaries as of January 1, 2020,
and the 2020 tabulation blocks without any subsequent year’s edits. Using a
different version of shapefiles will prevent processing of your case.
The shapefiles do not include demographic data, but they do contain geographic entity codes
(e.g., BLOCKID) that can be used to link to block level demographic data in a GIS software. After
joining the 2020 tabulation block file (e.g., tabblock shapefile layer) from the 2021 Partnership
shapefiles to the CQR Block Count List File, GUs can review their housing counts and perform
comparisons/analysis with their own locally sourced data to determine if a housing count
discrepancy exists. If a discrepancy is discovered, GUs decide whether to file a housing count
case.
IMPORTANT: A concatenation of the STATEFP, COUNTYFP, TRACT, and BLOCK fields in the CQR
Block Count List File is required to create a field (i.e., GEOID) for joining with the
tabblock layer (e.g., BLOCKID) within the 2021 Partnership shapefiles.
In addition, GUs can use the appropriate boundary layer from the 2021 Partnership shapefiles
in comparison with their local sourced boundary data to review their legal boundary and
determine whether a boundary discrepancy exists. If a discrepancy is discovered, GUs must
determine if the boundary discrepancy is in scope for 2020 Census CQR and whether to file a
boundary case. For GUs that decide to prepare a digital boundary case, these shapefiles form
the spatial base of the GU’s CQR case.
Appendix B provides important information for the 2021 Partnership shapefiles, including
information regarding the initial setup of the files and lists the shapefile layers of interest to
CQR eligible participants (e.g., tribal areas, states and equivalents, counties and equivalents,
minor civil divisions, consolidated cities, and incorporated places). Review the information in
that appendix to prepare for the use of this material.

1.4

2020 Census Block Maps

The 2020 Census Block Maps are GU-based maps produced to support the decennial census
data release. These large-scale, large format (i.e., 36”x32”) maps show and label all 2020
tabulation blocks within a GU. They also show the boundaries, names, and codes for American
Indian/Alaska Native areas, Hawaiian home lands, states (or state equivalents), counties (or
county equivalents), county subdivisions, consolidated cities, places, and 2020 census tracts.
Additionally, these maps show and label (as space allows) base features, such as roads,
railroads, and hydrography.
They are Adobe Portable Document Files (PDFs) and are available for all tribal, state, and local
GUs eligible to participate in 2020 Census CQR. GUs use these maps as a reference to review
their legal boundary and locate the 2020 tabulation blocks to review in combination with the
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

CQR Block Count List Files to determine if filing a case is necessary. If preparing a boundary
case, GUs use them to show their boundary correction and individual map spots for the
residential addresses affected by the boundary correction. Maps are not required with a
housing count case.
Contact the Census Bureau by email at or by phone
at (888) 369-3617 to discuss alternative access methods if your GU is unable to use these PDFs
online or print them locally.
Note:

For densely clustered areas of these maps, where features may be cluttered
preventing the clear visualization of a GU boundary or of certain small 2020 tabulation
blocks, the Census Bureau can create census block-based work maps upon request
from the GU. See appendix A2 for a summary of this product.

The maps are available through a link on the CQR website to the 2020 Census – Census Block
Maps web page. The web page has six main map categories (Figure 3). GUs locate their maps by
selecting the appropriate category for their GU. Continue navigating the subsequent screens
that appear to view the maps online. Once open, the map can be downloaded to a local
computer rather than continuing to view them online.

Figure 3: Map Categories on the 2020 Census - Census Block Maps Website

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

The file naming convention for the 2020 Census Block Maps is as follows:
DC20BLK_.pdf. For Puerto Rico, maps in Spanish have ‘SP’
appended to the map project abbreviation (e.g., DC20BLKSP_.pdf).
Where “entity_type” is as follows:
•

C for county.

•

CC for consolidated city.

•

CS for county subdivision (e.g., minor civil division and census county division).

•

P for incorporated place (e.g., cities, towns, villages, and census designated places).

•

FR for federal American Indian reservation.

•

SR for state American Indian reservation.

•

NV for Alaska Native village statistical areas (ANVSAs for use by Alaska Native villages).

•

OT for Oklahoma tribal statistical areas (OTSA).

•

SD for State designated tribal statistical areas (SDTSA).

•

TD for Tribal designated statistical areas (TDSA).

Where “entity_code” is the FIPS code for the GU or the four-digit census code for the American
Indian Areas. States and equivalent entities review these materials by county or lower level of
geography. Alaska Native Regional Corporations use the county and/or ANVSA maps to view
their ANRC.
If more than one large format map sheet exists in the bundled PDF, GUs must scroll through
each sheet to see the entire extent of their GU. Adjust the zoom level as necessary to view the
2020 census tract and 2020 tabulation block numbers on-screen.
IMPORTANT: Use of Adobe Reader® or Acrobat Professional® software is required to properly
view and print these PDFs. Other software or browser readers may distort
symbology and fill patterns on these maps. Download the free Adobe Reader
software from .
There are three types of large format maps: Index, Parent, and Inset. All map types are
identified along the lower right margin within the barcode of the map. The lower right margin is
also the location of the state and county FIPS information. These maps contain the common
elements of most map materials (e.g., title, north arrow, barcode, scale, projection information,
source information, coordinate information, etc.) and the map border contains a legend to
describe the symbology used within the map. The map examples (e.g., Figures 6 – 10) are
prototypes. The final 2020 Census Block Map products may have minor modifications to design
and/or content.
A Block-to-Map-Sheet relationship file exists to assist GUs with locating the 2020 tabulation
block(s) on the 2020 Census Block Maps. This material, found in the same location as the map
files, identifies each 2020 tabulation block in the GU and the map sheet(s) they fall within. The
semicolon delimited text file contains a list of all the blocks within the GU’s jurisdiction and
sheet/grid number that identifies the large format parent sheet(s) or inset sheet(s) where the
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

block is located. It also includes fields that list the incorporated place, county subdivision,
consolidated city, and American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian (AIANNH), as applicable.
GUs can open this file with a simple text editor such as Notepad or WordPad or import the file
into a spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel. Figure 4 shows an example of how a Block-toMap-Sheet relationship file (e.g., DC20BLK_C38065_BLK2MS.txt) appears when opened in
Notepad. The data shown within the example is based on a prototype map example and is for
visualization purposes only.

Figure 4: Example of a Block-to-Map-Sheet Relationship File in Notepad

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

1.4.1

Index Maps

Index map sheets cover the entire extent of the GU. They are divided into numbered grids that
correspond to the parent sheets. They exist for GUs with more than one parent sheet and are
for reference purposes only. Index map sheets are noted for summarizing the total number of
sheets for the GU along the bottom of the right margin. See Figure 5 for an example.

Figure 5: Example of a Large Format Index Map

1.4.2

Parent Maps

Parent map sheets provide a detailed view of a portion of the GU. They correspond to the
numbered grid on the index sheet. They show detail for features and geographic areas and are
used to identify the 2020 census tract and 2020 tabulation blocks within the GU. The lower
right margin of a parent sheet includes a key to adjacent sheets and a sheet location graphic
that provide an overview of the map layout for the GU. See Figure 6 for an example and Figure
7 for a zoomed depiction showing details of the map content. Note the zoomed example
includes the symbology denoting the presence of an inset map (e.g., A).

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Figure 6: Example of a Large Format Parent Map

Figure 7: Example of a Large Format Parent Map (Zoomed View)

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

1.4.3

Inset Maps

Inset map sheets do not exist for every GU or on every parent map sheet. They show detail for
congested areas on parent map sheets. They are denoted by an alpha character (e.g., A) and
may be multi-sheeted (e.g., A1, A2, B1, etc.). They, like parent sheets, show detail for features
and geographic areas and are used to identify 2020 census tracts and 2020 tabulation blocks for
a specific area within a GU. See Figure 8 for an example and Figure 9 for a visual of the lower
right margin of the map that identifies the map type and other important information.

Figure 8: Example of a Large Format Inset Map

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Figure 9: Example of a Large Format Map Margin

1.5

Address List Template File

IMPORTANT: CQR cases that do not contain a boundary discrepancy (i.e., a boundary case
type) can skip this section. This file is only used to submit individual, residential
addresses affected by a boundary correction.
If a GU discovers a boundary discrepancy when conducting their review of 2020 Census results
and wants to prepare a CQR case, they may use this file to prepare their list of residential
addresses to accompany their boundary correction. The Address List Template File is available
either as a comma separated values (.csv) file (i.e., comma-delimited text file)or as a Microsoft
Excel® workbook (.xls) file. It contains a header row with 25 fields of information formatted as
Text. Table 3 provides the field specifications, names, descriptions, and requirements for this
material. As recommended in section 1.2, save this file in the newly created local directory (e.g.,
CQR) with the other CQR related materials.
GUs use this file as a digital participant or print the template with the header and blank rows
for use as a paper participant. If a GU chooses to create their own file and not use this material,
the locally created file must follow the structure of the Address List Template File exactly. The
Census Bureau will not accept addresses in the incorrect format or with inadequate
information. Instructions for preparing a case using this file are detailed in sections 3.1 (digital
participants) and 5.1 (paper participants).

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Table 3: Details Regarding the Address List Template File
Field
Number

Max
Characters

CITY_STYLE_FLAG

Field to denote the
address record as city
style or non-city style.
Enter ‘Y’ for city style
or an ‘N’ for non-city
style.

Yes, for all records.

GQ_FLAG

Field to denote the
address record as a
group quarters. Enter
‘G’ for group quarters.

Yes, if adding a
group quarters
address.

ENTITY_ID

Field to denote the
unique identification
number assigned by
the Census Bureau to
each entity. Locate this
code on the top of the
Introduction Letter
sent to the Tribal Chair
or Highest
Elected/Appointed
Official in December
2021 or from a file on
the CQR website.

Yes, for all records
(please copy/paste
this information to
all records added to
the template).

STATE

Field to denote the
two-digit FIPS state
code.

Yes, if not using
shapefiles. Must
also complete the
‘COUNTY’,
‘2020_TRACT’,
‘2020_BLOCK’, and
‘MAPSPOT’ fields.

COUNTY

Field to denote the
three-digit FIPS county
code.

Yes, if not using
shapefiles. Must
also complete the
‘STATE’,
‘2020_TRACT’,
‘2020_BLOCK’, and
‘MAPSPOT’ fields.

U.S. Census Bureau

Field Name

Field Description

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Required (Yes or
No or
Recommended)

Field
Number

Max
Characters

U.S. Census Bureau

Field Name

Field Description

Required (Yes or
No or
Recommended)

2020_TRACT

Field to denote the sixdigit 2020 census tract
number, with an
implied decimal point
between the fourth
and fifth digit,
consisting of a fourdigit base number,
including leading zeros,
plus two-digit number
suffix, with trailing
zeros. For example,
123401 and 000300.

Yes, if not using
shapefiles. Must
also complete the
‘STATE’, ‘COUNTY’,
‘2020_BLOCK’, and
‘MAPSPOT’ fields.

2020_BLOCK

Field to denote the
four-digit 2020
tabulation block
number uniquely
numbered from 0000
to 9999 within 2020
census tract, which
nest within state and
county. The first digit
of the census block
identifies the block
group.

Yes, if not using
shapefiles. Must
also complete the
‘STATE’, ‘COUNTY’,
‘2020_TRACT’, and
‘MAPSPOT’ fields.

COMPLETE_ADDRESS_NUMBER

Field to denote the
housing unit or group
quarters assigned
address number, alone
or with an address
number prefix and/or
address number suffix
that identifies a
location along a
thoroughfare or within
a community. For 123
Main St, the “123” is
the complete address
number.

Yes, if ‘Y’ appears in
‘CITY_STYLE_FLAG’
field.

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Field
Number

Max
Characters

100

Field Description

Required (Yes or
No or
Recommended)

COMPLETE_STREET_NAME

Field to denote the full
street or road name.
The official name of a
thoroughfare as
assigned by a
governing authority or
used and recognized
alternate (alias) name.
For 123 Main St, “Main
St” is the complete
street name. For 456 W
Apple St N, “W Apple St
N” is the complete
street name.

Yes, if ‘Y’ appears in
‘CITY_STYLE_FLAG’
field.

APTUNIT_NUMBER

Field to denote the
combination of within
structure descriptor
and identifier, e.g.,
"Apt 1", "Ste 22", “Unit
A”, “Bldg 2 Unit 10”,
etc. Populate with a
value other than one
already used for the
address.

Yes, if the address is
a duplicate (same
State/County/Tract/
Block, House #,
Street Name, ZIP or
Lat/Long, House #,
Street Name, ZIP).
Commonly occurs
with multi-unit
addresses.

MAILING_ZIP_CODE

Field to denote the
five-digit United States
Postal Service (USPS)
mailing ZIP Code for
the city style address.

Yes, if a ‘Y’ appears
in the
‘CITY_STYLE_FLAG’
field. It must be
five-digit numeric
characters only.
Cannot be "00000",
"11111", "33333",
"66666", "77777",
"88888", or
"99999."

URBANIZACION

Field to denote the
name of the
neighborhood or group
of houses (e.g., URB
Manzana or URB Flora).

FOR PUERTO RICO
RECORDS ONLY.
Required if an
‘Urbanizacion’
based address.
Providing as much
information about
the address as
possible helps the
Census Bureau with
CQR research.

U.S. Census Bureau

Field Name

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Field
Number

Max
Characters

100

Field Description

Required (Yes or
No or
Recommended)

CONDO_RES

Field to denote the
name of the residential
complex of
apartments,
condominiums, or
public housing (e.g.,
Cond Jardín de Rosas
or apartamentos de
árboles verdes).

FOR PUERTO RICO
RECORDS ONLY.
Required if a
Condominium,
Apartment
Complex, Public
Housing based
address. Providing
as much
information about
the address as
possible helps the
Census Bureau with
CQR research.

COMPLEX_DESCRIPTOR

Field to denote the
descriptor or identifier
of the building (e.g.,
Torre 2 o Edificio III).

FOR PUERTO RICO
RECORDS ONLY.
Recommended if
known. Providing as
much information
about the address
as possible helps
the Census Bureau
with CQR research.

AREA1

Field to denote the
name of a geographic
area that typically
delimits a
neighborhood. Include
the type of
neighborhood barrio
(BO), sector (SEC),
neighborhood barriada
(BDA), community
(COM), or parcel
(PARC) with the
geographical name.

FOR PUERTO RICO
RECORDS ONLY.
Recommended if
known. Providing as
much information
about the address
as possible helps
the Census Bureau
with CQR research.

AREA2

Field to denote the
name of a geographic
area that typically
delimits a
neighborhood. Include
the type of sector
(SEC), neighborhood
(BDA), community
(COM), or parcel
(PARC) with the
geographical name

FOR PUERTO RICO
RECORDS ONLY.
Recommended if
known. Providing as
much information
about the address
as possible helps
the Census Bureau
with CQR research.

U.S. Census Bureau

Field Name

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Field
Number

Max
Characters

KMHM

Field to denote the
road marker values in
kilometers and
hectometers.

FOR PUERTO RICO
RECORDS ONLY.
Recommended if
known. Providing as
much information
about the address
as possible helps
the Census Bureau
with CQR research.

100

GQ_NAME

Field to denote the
name of group quarters
(e.g., Dobbs Hall,
Bayside Nursing Home,
Eastfork Prison, or
Salón Jiménez).

Yes, if ‘G’ in
‘GQ_FLAG’ field.
Cannot be "null" if
there is a value in
"GQ_FLAG" or
"FACILITY_NAME"
field. Cannot
contain a comma
(e.g.",").

100

FACILITY_NAME

Field to denote the
name of the group
quarters facility.
Usually a broader name
than the GQ name
(e.g., University of
Illinois or Universidad
de San Juan).

No, but
recommended if
group quarters
addresses being
added are
associated with a
facility (e.g., The
University of Illinois
for dorms on its
campus).

100

LOCATION_DESCRIPTION

Field to denote a short
description of the
location and physical
characteristics of living
quarters (e.g., Apt
above gas station on
the SE corner of N
Main St and N Elm Ave
or tent city behind
hardware store).

No. Use only if a
non-city style
address is not
available or if
providing extra
information can
assist the Census
Bureau in locating
the address during
CQR research.

NONCITYSTYLE_ADDRESS

Field to denote the
rural route and box
number or highway
contract route and box
number (e.g., RR 2 Box
34, or HC 1.Box 135).

Yes, if ‘N’ appears in
the
‘CITY_STYLE_FLAG’
field. If not available
or unknown, the
‘LOCATION_DESCRI
PTION’ field
becomes required.

U.S. Census Bureau

Field Name

Field Description

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Required (Yes or
No or
Recommended)

Field
Number

Max
Characters

U.S. Census Bureau

Field Name

Field Description

Required (Yes or
No or
Recommended)

NONCITYSTYLE_ZIP_CODE

Field to denote the
five-digit USPS mailing
ZIP Code for the noncity style address.

Yes, if
‘NONCITYSTYLE_AD
DRESS’ field is not
“null.” Omit if
uncertain. If
included, it must be
five-digit numeric
characters only.
Cannot be "00000",
"11111", "33333",
"66666", "77777",
"88888", or
"99999."

LATITUDE

Field to denote the
latitude coordinate of
address in decimal
degrees with minimum
of 6 digits following the
decimal.

Yes, if using
shapefiles. Optional
if using maps, but
this is helpful to
provide if known.
Cannot contain
special characters,
except the decimal
(e.g. ".").

LONGITUDE

Field to denote the
longitude coordinate of
address in decimal
degrees with minimum
of 6 digits following the
decimal.

Yes, if using
shapefiles. Optional
if using maps, but
this is helpful to
provide if known.
Cannot contain
special characters,
except the decimal
(e.g. ".") and the
negative sign (e.g. "") for this
hemisphere.

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Field
Number

Max
Characters

Field Name

MAPSPOT

Field Description

Required (Yes or
No or
Recommended)

Field to denote a
number, assigned by
the GU, associated with
a map spot that uses
the same number on a
CQR map material.
Numbering can start
over at ‘1’ in each
block.

Yes, if not using
shapefiles. Must
also complete the
‘STATE’, ‘COUNTY’,
‘2020_TRACT’, and
‘2020_BLOCK’
fields. The Census
Bureau must be
able to locate the
address affected by
the boundary
correction on a
map. This field
serves as a link
between the
individual address
in the address list
template and the
map with the
boundary
correction.

1.5.1

Acceptable Address Types

When preparing address records to support a boundary correction, there are three types of
acceptable addresses: city style, non-city style, and group quarters that can be inserted into the
Address List Template File. These three acceptable address types apply to both stateside and
Puerto Rico addresses.
Appendix C provides examples of acceptable address types in an Address List Template File for
stateside address records while Appendix D shows examples of acceptable address types for
Puerto Rico address records. None of the examples shown below or included in the two
appendices contain Title 13 U.S.C. information. All records are fictitious. Title 13 U.S.C. does not
apply to generalized address information (e.g., address range data in shapefiles) or housing
counts by census block.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

IMPORTANT: Implement the United States Postal Service (USPS) abbreviations for the
individual address records included to support a boundary case. For acceptable
addressing standards and abbreviations that the Census Bureau recognizes for its
individual address records, refer to the USPS Publication 28, Postal Addressing
Standards from .
1.5.1.1 City Style Addresses
The Census Bureau defines addresses, for both housing units and group quarters, with a house
number and street name as city style. City style addresses are used as mailing addresses and/or
as addresses that provide location for emergency services, such as fire, police, and rescue (also
termed E-911 addresses).
City style examples include:
•

20 N Main St

•

1 Apple Ct Apt 300

•

35A County Road 1413 N

•

87 Cll Sabanetas, Apto 1

Refer to Table 3 for specifics on requirements for including city style address records in the
Address List Template File for addresses affected by a boundary correction.
1.5.1.2 Non-City Style Addresses
The Census Bureau classifies addresses, for both housing units and group quarters, that do not
include a house number and/or a street name as non-city style. Non-city style addresses include
rural route and highway contract route addresses, physical location descriptions, and any other
addresses that do not contain components of a city style address.
Non-city style addresses often do not follow any numeric sequence and may not be associated
with the name of the street or highway on which they are located. Rural routes and highway
contract routes are mailbox delivery routes served by rural carriers to deliver and collect mail
from roadside mailboxes. In addition to the route and box numbers, these addresses may also
include a complete address number, complete street name, and location description, or any
combination used for emergency location services, such as police, fire, and rescue (E-911
addresses). In some instances, the complete address number and box number are identical. In
other instances, the rural or highway contract route and box number and the complete address
number are different.
Non-city style examples include:
•

RR 2 Box 34

•

HC 1 Box 135

•

Red House on corner of US Highway 1 and N Elm Ave

•

Casa de ladrillo c/ garaje a la derecha

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Refer to Table 3 for specifics on requirements for including non-city style address records in the
Address List Template File for addresses affected by a boundary correction.
Note:

Since PO Box numbers and general delivery addresses are mailing addresses only and
not associated with a housing unit or housing unit location, they were not part of the
address list used for the 2020 Census and the Census Bureau cannot accept them as
valid addresses for the 2020 Census CQR.

1.5.1.3 Group Quarters Addresses
Group quarters addresses include such places as college residence halls, residential treatment
centers, skilled nursing facilities, group homes, military barracks, correctional facilities, etc.
Group quarters addresses can be city style or non-city style.
Group quarters address examples include:
•

2200 Achilles Dr, Dobbs Hall, University of Illinois

•

120 N Elm Ave, Bayside Nursing Home

•

RR 3 Box 100, Eastfork Prison

•

198 Cll Vole, Salón Jiménez, Universidad de San Juan

Refer to Table 3 for specifics on requirements for including group quarters addresses in the
Address List Template File for addresses affected by a boundary correction.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

CHAPTER 2

REVIEWING THE 2020 CENSUS RESULTS

GUs would only proceed with a detailed review of the 2020 Census results if they believe the
official 2020 Census count of housing and population, described in Table 1, is inaccurate. This
chapter includes two, high-level overviews for conducting a detailed review of the 2020 Census
results using the CQR Block Count List Files and the two mapping materials introduced in
Chapter 1.
Note:

2.1

The two sections included within this chapter assume the GU has downloaded the
materials from the CQR website or has worked with the Census Bureau to receive the
materials necessary to conduct a review of the 2020 Census results.

Using CQR Block Count List Files with 2021 Partnership Shapefiles

Refer to appendix B1 to determine the specific shapefile layers to download for each GU type,
then follow the guidance presented below to review the 2020 Census results using the CQR
Block Count List Files and 2021 Partnership shapefiles.
IMPORTANT: GUs must use the 2021 Partnership shapefiles (e.g., PVS_20_v2 file naming
convention) for 2020 Census CQR. This version of partnership shapefiles is the
first source of the finalized 2020 legal boundaries and 2020 tabulation blocks. Do
not use any other version of census shapefiles for 2020 Census CQR.
The steps below are not detailed instructions for conducting a review of the 2020 Census
results because there are simply too many options to list. They provide a high-level approach
using common ideas and concepts that GUs familiar with GIS should understand.
1. Assemble a local spatial data source(s) for the GU’s legal boundary. Ensure the legal boundary
for the GU was in effect as of January 1, 2020 and is accurate in the local data.
2. Refer to Table 4 if the initial setup for the shapefiles has not occurred.
3. Use GIS to compare the GU’s legal boundary in the 2021 Partnership shapefiles with the legal
boundary in the local data source.
a. If no discrepancy exists with the legal boundary, skip to Step 4 to proceed with a review of
the housing counts for your GU.
b. If a discrepancy exists for a boundary that was not legally in effect as of January 1, 2020, file
the boundary update as part of the next annual Boundary and Annexation Survey. Do not
file a CQR case. Proceed to Step 4 to conduct a review of the housing counts for your GU.
c. If a discrepancy exists for a boundary but does not affect housing counts for the GU (i.e.,
minor spatial alignment issues), submit the boundary correction as part of the next annual
Boundary and Annexation Survey. Do not file a CQR case. Proceed to Step 4 to conduct a
review of the housing counts for your GU.
d. If a boundary discrepancy exists and does affect the housing counts for the GU, note/flag
the area/blocks/feature IDs within the spatial data, specifically in the shapefile layer with
the errant boundary (varies based on type of GU) to navigate back to this discrepancy if the
GU wishes to prepare a CQR case.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

4. Assemble a local source(s) of individual addresses and/or housing counts at the block level for
the GU. These sources should be digital. Ensure the source information includes residential
addresses that existed and were available for occupancy on April 1, 2020.
a. If the source includes a mix of residential and non-residential record types or includes
records available for occupancy after April 1, 2020, ensure a method exists to identify and
exclude the records that do not qualify for inclusion in the CQR case (i.e., those that are
non-residential and available for occupancy after April 1, 2020).
b. If the source includes individual, residential addresses only, proceed with generating locally
derived housing counts by block, splitting the whole count into both housing units and
group quarters categories using the 2021 Partnership shapefiles as the geographic base.
i. GUs with address data in shapefile format can generate counts by geocoding the
individual address records to the 2020 tabulation block layer (e.g., tabblock) using their
GIS. If a GU does not have address data in a shapefile with latitude and longitude
coordinates, the Census Bureau hosts a tool for geocoding at
. Review the Census Geocoder Documentation for details.
This tool may not provide geocodes for all records in the local file because the Census
Bureau may not have updated the area since concluding fieldwork. Conduct a review of
the geocoder’s results to ensure the information is as expected.
5. Navigate to the local directory (e.g., CQR) and open the CQR Block Count List File(s).
6. Concatenate the STATEFP (two-digits), COUNTYFP (three-digits), TRACT (six-digits), and BLOCK
(four-digits) fields within the GU’s CQR Block Count List File(s) to create a new field, i.e., GEOID
(15-digits). Save the file.
a. IMPORTANT: Keep a copy of the original CQR Block Count List File in case the file corrupts
the during the concatenation process or the GU decides to use GUPS.
7. Use GIS to join the BLOCKID field from the 2021 Partnership shapefiles tabblock layer to the
newly created GEOID field in your GU’s CQR Block Count List File(s).
a. Label, or thematically map, the housing counts from the CQR Block Count List File(s) by 2020
tabulation block.
b. Label, or thematically map, housing counts from the local source(s) by 2020 tabulation
block.
c. Additionally, even though your GU has chosen to use the 2021 Partnership shapefiles rather
than the 2020 Census Block Maps, the blocks listed in your GU’s Block-to-Map-Sheet
relationship file (BLK2MS) are the blocks for your GU. This file is located online with the
2020 Census Block Maps and may be beneficial for your research.
8. Compare the two sets of housing counts to determine if housing count discrepancies exist.
a. If no discrepancy exists for either housing counts or the legal boundary, the review of 2020
Census results is complete. Take no further action. It is unnecessary for your GU to prepare
a case for 2020 Census CQR.
b. If a discrepancy exists for housing counts, note/flag the area/blocks within the spatial data
to navigate back to this discrepancy if the GU wishes to prepare a CQR case.
9. Use the information gathered on the discrepancies (boundary and/or housing count) to prepare
a CQR case.

The Census Bureau assumes a GU using shapefiles to conduct their review will be a digital
participant and not a paper participant. If this is an inaccurate assumption, skip to Part 3 for
guidance on paper participation (i.e., submitting hard copy address and/or count materials);
otherwise, proceed to Part 2 for instructions on digital participation.
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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

2.2

Using CQR Block Count List Files with 2020 Census Block Maps

Follow the high-level guidance presented below to review the 2020 Census results using the
CQR Block Count List Files and 2020 Census Block Maps. They do not provide exact instructions
for conducting a closer review of the 2020 Census results because there are simply too many
options to list. They provide a high-level approach using common ideas and concepts that GUs
using these materials should understand.
1. Assemble a local source(s) for the GU’s legal boundary. Ensure the legal boundary for the GU
was in effect as of January 1, 2020 and is accurate in the local source(s).
2. Compare the GU’s legal boundary in the 2020 Census Block Maps with the legal boundary in the
local source(s).
a. Depending on the number of map sheets for the GU, participants may wish to review 2020
Census Block Maps on-screen rather than downloading them, but if discrepancies are
identified, the GU will need the maps downloaded to make corrections.
3. Pan around the legal boundary shown in the census maps on-screen to conduct a visual
comparison between the census material and the local source(s).
a. If no discrepancy exists with the legal boundary, skip to Step 4 to proceed with a review of
the housing counts for your GU.
b. If a discrepancy exists for a boundary that was not legally in effect as of January 1, 2020,
submit the boundary update as part of the next annual Boundary and Annexation Survey.
Do not file a CQR case. Proceed to Step 4 to conduct a review of the housing counts.
c. If a discrepancy exists for a boundary but does not affect housing counts for the GU (i.e.,
minor spatial alignment issues), file the boundary correction as part of the next annual
Boundary and Annexation Survey. Do not file a CQR case. Proceed to Step 4 to conduct a
review of the housing counts.
d. If a boundary discrepancy exists and does affect the housing counts for the GU, note or flag
the map sheet or blocks to navigate back to this discrepancy if the GU wishes to prepare a
CQR case.
4. Assemble a local source(s) of individual addresses and/or housing counts at the block level for
the GU. These sources can be in digital or paper format. Ensure the source information includes
residential addresses that existed and were available for occupancy on April 1, 2020.
a. If the source includes a mix of residential and non-residential record types or includes
records available for occupancy after April 1, 2020, ensure a method exists to identify and
exclude the records that do not qualify for inclusion in the CQR case (i.e., those that are
non-residential and available for occupancy after April 1, 2020.
b. If the source includes individual, residential addresses only, proceed with generating locally
derived housing counts by block, splitting the whole count into both housing units and
group quarters categories using the 2020 Census Block Maps as the geographic base.
i. GUs can generate counts by geocoding the individual address records to the 2020
tabulation blocks using the 2020 Census Block Maps as their geographic base or by using
the Census Bureau’s tool for geocoding, . Review the
Census Geocoder Documentation for details. This tool may not provide geocodes for all
records in the local file because the Census Bureau may not have updated the area since
concluding fieldwork. Conduct a review of the geocoder’s results to ensure the
information is as expected.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

5. Determine the 2020 tabulation blocks that fall within your GU.
a. The blocks listed in your GU’s Block-to-Map-Sheet relationship file (BLK2MS) are the blocks
for your GU.
6. Review only the 2020 tabulation blocks for your GU in the CQR Block Count List File(s).
a. This involves sorting/culling the state-level CQR Block Count List File(s) to reduce it to
include just the blocks within the GU.
7. Use Ctrl-F, a search function in most applications, to find specific blocks if viewing the maps on
screen or refer to the Block-to-Map-Sheet relationship file that accompanies the 2020 Census
Block Maps to identify the 2020 tabulation blocks and corresponding map sheets.
8. Compare the two sets of housing counts to determine if housing count discrepancies exist.
a. If no discrepancy exists for either housing counts or the legal boundary, the review of 2020
Census results is complete. Take no further action. It is unnecessary for your GU to prepare
a case for 2020 Census CQR.
b. If a discrepancy exists for the housing counts, note/flag the map sheet or blocks to navigate
back to this discrepancy if the GU wishes to prepare a CQR case.
9. Use the information gathered on the discrepancies (boundary and/or housing count) to prepare
a CQR case.

Proceed to Part 2 for guidance on digital participation (i.e., submitting digital address and/or
housing count materials); otherwise, skip to Part 3 for guidance on paper participation (i.e.,
submitting hard copy address and/or housing count materials).

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

PART 2

DIGITAL PARTICIPANTS

Once your GU determines a CQR case is necessary and wants to participate digitally rather than
using the Geographic Partnership Update Software (GUPS) or paper materials, use the guidance
in this part of the guide to prepare and submit your CQR case to the Census Bureau.
Participating digitally in CQR means a GU will supply digital address-related materials (i.e., an
address list file to support a boundary case and/or block count list file to support a housing
count case) with their CQR case submission. Participating digitally does not prohibit a GU from
submitting paper map materials to support a boundary correction; however, additional steps
are required to ship paper map materials. Also recall that maps are only required for boundary
cases.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

CHAPTER 3

PREPARING A DIGITAL CASE

The type of discrepancies uncovered while reviewing the 2020 Census results dictates the type
of materials to use to prepare a digital case. The first two sections discuss preparing each type
of digital case while the third section discusses conducting quality checks and finalizing the
submission.
IMPORTANT: A CQR case can be comprised of both boundary and housing count
discrepancies. If your GU has both boundary and housing count discrepancies,
review both sections below for instructions on preparing your CQR case.
The Census Bureau recommends the use of the Address List Template File for cases with
boundary discrepancies and the CQR Block Count List Files for cases with housing count
discrepancies. Refer to Table 2 for information on the CQR Block Count List Files and to Table 3
for specifics on the Address List Template File. If using locally created files, ensure they include
the same information and field format as the files provided by the Census Bureau.

3.1

Preparing a Digital Case with a Boundary Discrepancy

IMPORTANT: Boundary cases request a Census Bureau review of legal boundaries in effect as
of January 1, 2020. Cases submitted with a boundary correction that is effective
after January 1, 2020 will be forwarded to the Boundary and Annexation Survey
staff for research and potential update.
As first introduced in the Case Types section, section C, for the Census Bureau to successfully
review and process a digital case with a boundary discrepancy, it must include the following
items:
•

A map (e.g., digital or hard copy) showing both the incorrect and correct boundary.

•

A file of individual residential addresses affected by the boundary correction with
latitude/longitude coordinate information (with a minimum of six-digits after the decimal point)
or with a map spot number that matches to a map spot on the map for each record.
o Do not create a complete address list for the GU. Only addresses affected by the boundary
correction are eligible for submission and review during CQR.

•

Supporting documentation, as detailed in section D.

To make the boundary correction(s) in the CQR map materials, GUs use either the 2021
Partnership shapefiles or the 2020 Census Block Maps that were used to conduct the review of
the 2020 Census results described in Chapter 2. Review the applicable section below that
describes the boundary correction process at a high-level. For specific instructions on making
digital boundary corrections, review the 2021 BAS respondent guides (e.g., Digital or TribalDigital) available for download from the CQR website; however, GUs must follow the
instructions from this guide for creating and submitting your CQR case (e.g., section 3.3.3 and
Chapter 4, respectively), not those within the BAS respondent guide.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

3.1.1

Using the 2021 Partnership Shapefiles

Within the BAS Respondent Guide (Digital or Tribal Digital), focus on Chapter 5, Appendix B (for
those GUs using tools created by the Census Bureau to create their submission), and Appendix
C (for those GUs using their own methods and tools to create their submission). The steps
below provide only high-level guidance.
1. Review Chapter 5 of the BAS Respondent Guide to become familiar with the process of updating
boundaries using the Census Bureau shapefiles.
2. For those using Census Bureau tools, navigate to Appendix B in the BAS Respondent Guide to
review all the specialty tools the Census Bureau offers for preparing a boundary correction.
a. Do not follow the renaming and submission instructions within the BAS materials; instead
use the instructions within section 3.3.3 and Chapter 4, respectively.
3. For those using their own methods and tools, navigate to Appendix C in the BAS Respondent
Guide for instructions.
a. Do not follow the instructions for renaming and submission within the BAS materials;
instead use the instructions within section 3.3.3 and Chapter 4, respectively.
4. Make the corrections for the boundary discrepancies identified during the review of the 2020
Census results.
5. Ensure use of the proper MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) as cited in Appendix E
for newly inserted features coincident with the boundary correction.
6. Review Chapter 5.7 of the BAS Respondent Guide for an overview of files that may be necessary
for processing boundary corrections. Use “cqr20” instead of “bas21” as the suggested naming
convention.
7. Save the updated shapefiles to the local directory (e.g. CQR).
8. Prepare and assemble the supporting documentation.
a. Refer to section D for details on appropriate supporting documentation.
9. Stage the saved shapefiles (all shapefile components, not just .shp) and supporting
documentation for quality checks and submission creation as described in section 3.3.1.
10. If the Census Bureau research concludes the boundary correction is valid and makes the
update(s), they will prepare verification materials (e.g., 2020 Census CQR Block Maps and
updated Partnership shapefiles) for the GU to use to confirm the work prior to finalizing the
boundary and revising the counts. Refer to Appendix F for information on this material.

Note:

3.1.2

Paper participants that find themselves here after reviewing instructions within
Chapter 5 should return to that chapter to continue preparing their paper case.

Using the 2020 Census Block Maps

Participants using the 2020 Census Block Maps to correct a boundary discrepancy refer to the
Paper BAS Respondent Guide, specifically Part 3 (sections 3.4 and 3.5) and Part 4 (only for
features updates that coincide with a boundary correction). The steps below provide only highlevel guidance.
For those using Adobe Acrobat® to make corrections:
1. Locate and open the map(s) the CQR website.
a. Ensure use of Adobe Reader or Acrobat Professional to preserve symbology within the PDFs.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

2. Use the Adobe editing tools to mark the incorrect boundary feature(s) with “Xs” and insert or
denote the correct boundary feature(s).
3. Label the new/correct boundary with the proper MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code
(MTFCC) as cited in Appendix E.
4. Use the Adobe editing tools to insert and label the map spots to correspond with the individual
address records in the Address List Template.
a. Ensure the map spot numbers on the map(s) match the map spot numbers in the Address
List Template. Not performing this step will jeopardize the processing of your boundary
correction and the CQR case submission.
5. Save (or print) the map(s) with the corrections to the local directory (e.g., CQR).
6. Prepare and assemble the supporting documentation.
a. Refer to section D for details on appropriate supporting documentation.
7. Stage the updated PDF map files and/or printed maps with corrections and supporting
documentation for quality checks and submission creation as described in section 3.3.1.
a. The Census Bureau only needs the maps affected by the boundary discrepancy, so only
submit map files/hard copy maps with boundary corrections.
8. If the Census Bureau research concludes the boundary correction is valid and makes the
update(s), they will prepare verification materials (e.g., 2020 Census CQR Block Maps and
updated Partnership shapefiles) for the GU to use to confirm the work prior to finalizing the
boundary and revising the counts. Refer to Appendix F for information on this material.

For those using hard copy maps to make corrections:
1. Locate, open, and print the map(s) from the CQR website.
a. Ensure use of Adobe Reader or Acrobat Professional to preserve symbology within the PDFs.
b. Contact the Census Bureau by phone at (888) 369-3617 or by email at
to request printed map products if your GU is
unable to print the necessary 2020 Census Block Maps from the CQR website.
2. Use a colored pencil, as described in the BAS Guide, to mark the incorrect boundary feature(s)
with “Xs” and insert or denote the correct boundary feature.
a. Colored pencils are not provided by the Census Bureau for 2020 Census CQR.
3. Label the new/correct boundary with the proper MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code
(MTFCC) as cited in Appendix E.
4. Draw and label the map spots on the maps to correspond with the individual address records in
the Address List Template.
a. Ensure the map spot numbers on the map(s) match the map spot numbers in the Address
List Template. Not performing this step will jeopardize the processing of your boundary
correction and the CQR case submission.
5. Prepare and assemble the supporting documentation.
a. Refer to section D for details on appropriate supporting documentation.
6. Stage the printed maps with corrections and supporting documentation for quality checks and
submission creation as described in section 3.3.1.
a. The Census Bureau only needs the maps affected by the boundary discrepancy, so only
submit maps with boundary corrections.
7. If the Census Bureau research concludes the boundary correction is valid and makes the
update(s), they will prepare verification materials (e.g., 2020 Census CQR Block Maps and
updated Partnership shapefiles) for the GU to use to confirm the work prior to finalizing the
boundary and revising the counts. Refer to Appendix F for information on this material.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

3.1.3

Using the Address List Template File (Digital)

First introduced in section 1.5, the Census Bureau created the Address List Template File for use
with the three acceptable types of individual addresses (e.g., city style, non-city style, and
group quarters). If your GU chooses to use their own file, ensure it contains the same fields of
information as the Address List Template File and that it follows the same file format to
preserve the fields as Text. Follow the steps below to accurately update the Address List
Template File for your GU.
1. Download the Address List Template File from the CQR website.
a. Select either the .csv format or .xls format depending on your GU’s preference.
2. Open the file.
a. If using the .csv file, it must be imported into Excel or used in a separate piece of software
(e.g., Notepad or WordPad) that preserves the fields as text.
b. If using the .xls file, it can be opened by using the mouse to double click the file name.
c. Regardless of the file type chosen for use, GUs must ensure the fields remain as text. Doing
so preserves the validity and accuracy of the data entered in the file (i.e., retaining
leading/trailing zeros for STATE, COUNTY, 2020_TRACT, and MAILING_ZIP_CODE fields).
3. Type/Enter the individual address records into the file for all the residential addresses affected
by the boundary correction that existed and were available for occupancy on April 1, 2020.
a. Ensure inclusion of all required fields, noting that field requirements change based on the
type of address. Refer to Table 3 for details.
b. Critical for processing is the inclusion of either the latitude and longitude coordinates (for
participants using 2021 Partnership shapefiles) or map spot numbers (for participants using
2020 Census Block Maps). The map spot numbers used in the Address List Template should
match the map spot numbers labeled by the GU on the 2020 Census Block Maps.
4. Save the file often to preserve your work.
a. Recommended file naming convention is as follows:
cqr20___UpdatedALT.csv (or .xls)
5. Prepare additional supporting documentation related to the addresses following guidance in
section D.
6. Stage the completed file and address-related supporting documentation for quality checks
described in section 3.3.1.

3.2

Preparing a Digital Case with a Housing Count Discrepancy

As first introduced in the Case Types section, section C, for the Census Bureau to successfully
review and process a digital case with a housing count discrepancy, it must include the
following items:
•

A file that includes the contested 2020 tabulation blocks in their GU, their current housing
counts, and the corrected housing counts for both housing units and group quarters as of April
1, 2020.

•

Supporting documentation, as detailed in section D.

Note:

No maps are required to accompany a case with only a housing count discrepancy.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

If housing count discrepancies were identified during the review of 2020 Census results, GUs
use the same CQR Block Count List Files to correct their housing counts. If your GU chooses to
use their own locally created file, ensure it contains the same fields of information as the CQR
Block Count List Files and that it follows the same file format to preserve the fields as Text.
Follow the steps below to accurately update the CQR Block Count List File(s) for your GU.
1. Open the CQR Block Count List File(s) your GU used during the review of the 2020 Census
results.
a. If using the .csv file, it must be imported into Excel or used in a separate piece of software
(e.g., Notepad or WordPad) that preserves the fields as text.
b. If using the .xlsx file, it can be opened by using the mouse to double click the file name.
c. Regardless of the file type chosen for use, GUs must ensure the fields remain as text. Doing
so preserves the validity and accuracy of the data entered in the file (i.e., retaining
leading/trailing zeros for STATEFP, COUNTYFP, and TRACT fields).
2. Type/Enter the correct housing count tallies for housing units and/or group quarters for the
blocks identified with discrepant counts into the respective fields (i.e., CQRHU and CQRGQ).
a. Ensure that the corrected tallies represent the residential addresses that existed and were
available for occupancy on April 1, 2020.
b. Do not enter information for blocks that contain accurate counts.
c. Do not repeat correct count information in the CQRHU or CQRGQ fields.
3. Save your CQR Block Count List File often to preserve your work.
4. Upon completion of all corrections, save only the records with values in the CQRHU and CQRGQ
fields (i.e., CQRHU and/or CQRGQ not blank or CQRHU and/or CQRGQ not null) into a separate
file to create a file that contains just the 2020 tabulation blocks with corrected housing counts.
a. Recommended file naming convention of this subset file is as follows:
cqr20___UpdatedBCL.csv (or .xlsx).
5. Prepare and assemble the supporting documentation according to guidance in section D.
6. Stage the completed file and supporting documentation for quality checks and submission
creation as described in section 3.3.2.
a. The Census Bureau only needs the 2020 tabulation blocks with the corrected housing
counts. Do not submit the entire CQR Block Count List File.

3.3

Conducting Quality Checks and Finalizing a Digital Submission

After completing the process of correcting the boundary and/or housing counts for errant
blocks, perform quality checks on the file(s). The quality checks vary based upon the type of
case. Navigate to the local directory where the digital case materials are saved (e.g., CQR) or
locate the staged paper maps. Review the appropriate section below for your GU’s case type.

3.3.1

Quality Checks for a Digital Case with a Boundary Discrepancy

If using shapefiles:
•

Ensure the inclusion of files as presented in the BAS Respondent Guide to accurately process the
boundary correction(s).

•

Ensure the use of correct MTFCC for newly added/corrected boundary features.

•

Ensure the inclusion of proper supporting documentation for boundaries as referenced in
section D.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

If using maps:
•

Ensure the notation of the incorrect boundary and the corresponding correct boundary as well
as the presence of individual address map spot numbers that match the corresponding number
shown in the MAPSPOT field within the Address List Template. Inclusion of latitude and
longitude coordinates (with a minimum of six-digits after the decimal point) in the Address List
Template is also permitted.

•

Ensure the use of correct MTFCC for newly added/corrected boundary features.

•

Ensure only maps affected by the boundary discrepancy are included.

•

Ensure the inclusion of proper supporting documentation for boundaries as referenced in
section D.

For all submissions:
•

Open the Address List Template File (e.g., cqr20___UpdatedALT.csv
or .xls) to confirm presence of leading and trailing zeros, if applicable, in the STATE, COUNTY,
2020_TRACT, LATITUDE, LONGITUDE, and the two ZIP Code related fields.
o Improperly formatted or corrupted data indicates the file was originally opened incorrectly,
which means the data within it is inaccurate and likely cannot be processed. Recreate your
file for submission.

•

Ensure the Address List Template File only includes individual addresses affected by the
boundary correction and not the complete address list for the GU.

•

Confirm the individual addresses in the Address List Template include either latitude and
longitude coordinates (in the LATITUDE and LONGITUDE fields for participants using 2021
Partnership shapefiles) or map spot numbers (in the MAPSPOT field for participants using 2020
Census Block Maps).
o The map spot numbers used in the Address List Template must match the corresponding
map spot numbers labeled by the GU on the 2020 Census Block Maps.
o If latitude and longitude coordinates are provided, ensure the presence of six-digits after the
decimal point.

•

Recheck the submission for the inclusion of all supporting documentation as described in
section D.

3.3.2

Quality Checks for a Digital Case with a Housing Count Discrepancy

•

Open the CQR Block Count List File (e.g., cqr20___UpdatedBCL.csv
or .xlsx) to confirm preservation of leading and trailing zeros, if applicable, on the STATEFP,
COUNTYFP, TRACT, and BLOCK fields.
o Improperly formatted or corrupted data indicates the file was originally opened incorrectly,
which means the data within it is inaccurate and likely cannot be processed. Recreate your
file for submission.

•

Ensure the file only contains records of blocks with housing count corrections and not the entire
CQR Block Count List File.

•

Ensure the corrected housing counts only include qualifying residential addresses (i.e., existed
and were available for occupancy on April 1, 2020).

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

•

Ensure the corrected housing counts in the CQRHU and CQRGQ fields differ from the original
housing counts in the CENSUSHU and CENSUSGQ fields.

•

Ensure all the other content in the file remains consistent with the original CQR Block Count List
File.

•

Ensure the inclusion of all supporting documentation as described in section D.

3.3.3

Finalizing a Digital Submission

Once satisfied with the quality checks and content of the CQR case materials, GUs that intend
to use the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM) to provide their CQR case submission must
create a .zip file that includes all components of the case. The recommended naming
convention of the .zip file is as follows: cqr20___submission.zip.
Note:

If a digital participant chooses to make their submission using a CD/DVD rather than
using SWIM, then creation of a .zip file is not required; however, the Census Bureau
recommends all files that comprise the case be included on the CD/DVD.

For cases with only boundary discrepancy(s), include the following in the .zip file or on the
CD/DVD:
•

All relevant supporting documentation.

•

cqr20___UpdatedALT.csv (or .xls).

•

If using the 2021 Partnership shapefiles, the “cqr20” set of shapefiles generated in section 3.1.1.

•

If using 2020 Census Block Maps or locally created maps, the scanned/saved images (.png, .jpeg,
or .pdf) of the edited 2020 Census Block Maps from section 3.1.2 may be included in the .zip file
(to use with SWIM) or on the CD/DVD (to manually ship); otherwise, submit the hard copies
separately using instructions in section 4.2.

For cases with only housing count discrepancy(s), include the following in the .zip file or on the
CD/DVD:
•

All relevant supporting documentation.

•

cqr20___UpdatedBCL.csv (or .xlsx).

For cases with both boundary and housing count discrepancies, include the following in the .zip
file or on the CD/DVD:
•

All relevant supporting documentation.

•

cqr20___UpdatedALT.csv (or .xls).

•

cqr20___UpdatedBCL.csv (or .xlsx).

•

If using the 2021 Partnership shapefiles, the “cqr20” set of shapefiles generated in section 3.1.1.

•

With the .zip file and/or CD/DVD created, proceed to Chapter 4 for instructions on submitting a
digital case. Retain a copy of the submission for your records and to facilitate communication
with the Census Bureau if questions arise.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

CHAPTER 4

SUBMITTING A DIGITAL CASE

Digital participants have two options for submitting their case to the Census Bureau. They may
use the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM), or they may use a traceable shipping service.
This chapter includes a section on each option. Review the section that aligns with your GU’s
preference for CQR case submission.
Note:

4.1

GUs that printed 2020 Census Block Maps to accompany their address materials for
their boundary correction may use a combination of the two options (e.g., SWIM for
the .zip file and a traceable shipping service for the updated map materials).

Using the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM)

Use the information in this chapter to establish or access an existing SWIM account and to
provide the exported .zip file(s) generated in Chapter 3. Some GUs may have staff with
established SWIM accounts from other Census geography programs. If so, that person may
submit the GU’s CQR case submission using their existing account. For GUs without staff with
an established account, contact the Census Bureau by email at
or by phone at (888) 369-3617 to request a
registration token.
To check for the existence of a SWIM account or to reset a password on an established account,
choose “Forgot your password?” on the main SWIM page and enter the email address in
question to check for the existence of an account. If SWIM locates an account, it asks the
established security question for the account, for which the answer is not case-sensitive, and
sends an email to reset the forgotten password. If SWIM does not locate an account associated
with the email address, it returns the following message, “No account registered for this email
address. The email address associated with the account is case sensitive. Try again with the
proper case or go to Account Registration to register for a SWIM account.” Choosing the
Account Registration link opens another window to establish a SWIM account; however, the GU
staff person must have a registration token to proceed.
Note:

The components of both the email address and the password of SWIM accounts are
case-sensitive. Make note of the format used when establishing the SWIM account
(e.g., [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]). The
Census Bureau recommends use of lowercase letters and safe retention of this
information for future reference.

SWIM allows four attempts to login before it temporarily locks the account for 15 minutes.
After the lock expires, try to login again or reset the password using the aforementioned
“Forgot your password?” link on the login page. Once reset and logged into SWIM, account
holders may modify their password and security answer by selecting “Change Security” link
along the top, right side of the window.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

If login issues persist, confirm the vintage of internet browser version. SWIM runs on the two
most recent versions of each of the major internet browsers, Microsoft Internet Explorer®,
Microsoft Edge®, Google Chrome®, Mozilla Firefox®, and Apple Safari®. If the browser version is
older, upgrade the version. If problems still occur with SWIM, contact the Census Bureau by
phone at (888) 369-3617. It may be necessary to create a new SWIM account.
IMPORTANT: Do not use email to send the CQR case submission to the Census Bureau. Work
to resolve SWIM issues or burn/copy the submission onto CD/DVD and ship it to
the Census Bureau using guidance in section 4.2.
SWIM file requirements include submission of .zip file format. The .zip file may not include
another .zip file as a component and it must not be larger than 250 megabytes. Do not create
separate .zip files for supporting documentation, the shapefile suite of files, or any other
relevant case information. Include all those materials in one .zip file. Follow the steps below for
instructions on using SWIM to submit your GU’s CQR case submission.
1. Open a new browser window and enter the SWIM URL .
2. For persons with an existing SWIM account, enter the email address and password associated
with the account and choose the Login button. Skip to step 3.
a. For persons without an existing SWIM account, have the 12-digit registration token provided
by the Census Bureau ready for account registration. Select the Register Account button to
open the “Account Registration” screen. All fields within this screen are required.
i. The password must be at least 8-characters in length and have at least one uppercase
character, one lowercase character, one number, and one special character. (Valid
special characters are limited to the #, !, $, *, &, ?, and ~.
ii. Establish a security question associated with the account. Expand the choices arrow to
the right of the Security Question field and select a question from the drop-down menu.
Enter an answer in the Answer field. Select the Submit button. A “Success!” pop-up
window appears confirming successful account registration.
iii. Select Login from the “Success!” pop-up window to return to the SWIM Login screen to
enter the newly established account login and password information.
3. With a valid login and password, the “Welcome” screen opens.
a. If the account has uploaded other files for different geography programs administered by
the Census Bureau, a list of files previously uploaded by the SWIM user displays. The list
includes the creation date of the file upload, the name of the file, and the corresponding
size of the .zip file.
4. To submit your GU’s CQR submission .zip file, choose the Start New Upload button at the
bottom of the “Welcome” screen.
5. From the “What Census program are you reporting data for?” screen, choose the Count
Question Resolution (CQR) radio button and choose Next.
6. From the “What type of CQR entity are you reporting for” screen choose the entity choice that
aligns with your GU’s entity type. If uncertain of the correct choice, contact the Census Bureau
by email at or by phone at (888) 369-3617.
7. Completing the subsequent windows associated with the GU’s entity type opens the “Select a
.ZIP file to upload” screen.
8. Select the +Add File button and the “Choose File to Upload” screen opens.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

9. From the “Choose File to Upload” screen, navigate to the directory location of the CQR case .zip
file (e.g., likely the “CQR” local directory).
10. Upon completion, the Status field shows Success, and the name of the file appears in the File(s)
field. Add additional, pertinent information to the Comments section if possible. Select the Next
button to proceed with the upload.
11. The “Thank You” screen appears and indicates a forthcoming email once the transfer completes.
GUs can expect to receive the email within a business day of uploading the submission.
12. Choose either Upload Form or Log Out option from the “Thank You” screen message.

If GUs want to ship their CQR case submission rather than using SWIM, please continue to the
next section; otherwise, skip to Part 4 of this guide for the next steps in 2020 Census CQR.

4.2

Using Traceable Shipping Methods

GUs without internet access, those that do not wish to use SWIM, or those with a mixed-media
submission (digital address-related materials and paper map-related materials or vice versa)
should ship their CQR case submission to the Census Bureau’s National Processing Center.
IMPORTANT: Do not email any portion of the CQR case submission to the Census Bureau.
For cases with only boundary discrepancy(s):
1. Locate the staged materials.
2. Double wrap the CD/DVD that contains individual address records (Address List Template File)
and/or hard copy materials that contain maps with map spots using an inner and outer envelope
(or container); one within the other.
3. Label both sides of the inner envelope/container with the notice,
“DISCLOSURE PROHIBITED BY TITLE 13 U.S.C.”
4. Place the inner envelope/container into the outer envelope/container.
5. Include all relevant, hard copy supporting documentation, if this information was not included
within the .zip file or on the CD/DVD, in the outer envelope/container.
6. Do not label the outer envelope/container with the disclosure notice.
7. Ship using a service that provides tracking information, such as the United States Postal Service
(USPS) traceable delivery, FedEx, United Parcel Service (UPS), or similar service to the following
address:
U.S. Census Bureau
National Processing Center
ATTN: CQR Geography Bldg 63E
1201 E 10th St
Jeffersonville IN 47132
8. Retain the tracking information as proof of delivery and to facilitate communication with the
Census Bureau if questions arise.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

For cases with only housing count discrepancy(s):
1. Locate the staged materials.
2. Assemble the CD/DVD and/or hard copy materials in an envelope/container for shipping to the
Census Bureau.
a. There is no need to double wrap the materials because there is no Title 13 U.S.C.
information included.
3. Include all relevant, hard copy supporting documentation, if this information was not included
within the .zip file and/or on the CD/DVD.
4. Ship using a service that provides tracking information, such as the United States Postal Service
(USPS) traceable delivery, FedEx, United Parcel Service (UPS), or similar service to the following
address:
U.S. Census Bureau
National Processing Center
ATTN: CQR Geography Bldg 63E
1201 E 10th St
Jeffersonville IN 47132
5. Retain the tracking information as proof of delivery and to facilitate communication with the
Census Bureau if questions arise.

For cases with both boundary and housing count discrepancies:
1. Locate the staged materials.
2. Double wrap the CD/DVD that contains individual address records (Address List Template File)
and/or hard copy materials that contain maps with map spots using an inner and outer envelope
(or container); one within the other.
3. Label both sides of the inner envelope/container with the notice,
“DISCLOSURE PROHIBITED BY TITLE 13 U.S.C.”
4. Place the inner envelope/container into the outer envelope/container.
5. Assemble the pages from the CQR Block Count List for shipment to the Census Bureau. There is
no need to double wrap the materials because there is no Title 13 U.S.C. information included.
6. Include all relevant, hard copy supporting documentation, if this information was not included
within the .zip file or on the CD/DVD.
7. Do not label the outer envelope/container with the disclosure notice.
8. Ship using a service that provides tracking information, such as the United States Postal Service
(USPS) traceable delivery, FedEx, United Parcel Service (UPS), or similar service to the following
address:
U.S. Census Bureau
National Processing Center
ATTN: CQR Geography Bldg 63E
1201 E 10th St
Jeffersonville IN 47132
9. Retain the tracking information as proof of delivery and to facilitate communication with the
Census Bureau if questions arise.

With the instructions for digital case submission complete, skip to Part 4 of this guide to review
the next steps for 2020 Census CQR.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

PART 3

PAPER PARTICIPANTS

The Census Bureau understands paper participation may be the best option for certain GUs
(i.e., smaller population and/or smaller geographic area). Once your GU determines a CQR case
is necessary and wants to participate using paper rather than using the Geographic Update
Partnership Software (GUPS) or digitally, use the guidance in this part of the guide to prepare
and submit your CQR case to the Census Bureau.
Using paper to participate in CQR means a GU will supply paper (hard copy) address-related
materials (i.e., an address list to support boundary case and/or block count list to support
housing count case) with their CQR case submission. Using paper address materials does not
prohibit a GU from using and submitting digital map materials to support a boundary
correction; however, additional steps are required to prepare and submit digital map materials.
For GUs choosing paper participation, the Census Bureau strongly encourages GUs to prepare
an all-paper submission to simplify the process by not creating a mixed media submission (i.e.,
printed address/block count materials and a CD/DVD with shapefiles/edited PDFs). Also recall
that maps are only required for boundary cases.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

CHAPTER 5

PREPARING A PAPER CASE

The type of discrepancies uncovered while reviewing the 2020 Census results dictates the type
of materials to use to prepare a paper case. The first two sections discuss preparing each type
of paper case while the third section discusses conducting quality checks and assembling the
materials.
IMPORTANT: A CQR case can be comprised of both boundary and housing count
discrepancies. If your GU has both boundary and housing count discrepancies,
review both sections for instructions on preparing your CQR case.
The Census Bureau recommends the use of the Address List Template File for cases with
boundary discrepancies and the CQR Block Count List Files for cases with housing count
discrepancies. Refer to Table 2 for details on the CQR Block Count List Files and Table 3 for
specifics on the Address List Template File. If using locally created files, ensure they include the
same information and field format as the files provided by the Census Bureau.

5.1

Preparing a Paper Case with a Boundary Discrepancy

IMPORTANT: Boundary cases request a Census Bureau review of legal boundaries in effect as
of January 1, 2020. Cases submitted with a boundary correction that is effective
after January 1, 2020 will be forwarded to the Boundary and Annexation Survey
staff for research and potential update.
As first introduced in the Case Types section, section C, for the Census Bureau to successfully
review and process a paper case with a boundary discrepancy, it must include the following
items:
•

A map (e.g., digital or hard copy) showing both the incorrect and correct boundary.
o If not using maps provided by the Census Bureau, ensure the locally created maps include
the 2020 tabulation blocks.

•

A list of individual residential addresses affected by the boundary correction with individual map
spot numbers that match to map spots on a map (or with latitude/longitude coordinates with a
minimum of six-digits after the decimal point) for each record.
o Do not create a complete address list for the GU. Only addresses affected by the boundary
correction are eligible for submission and review during CQR.

•

Supporting documentation, as detailed in section D.

To make the boundary correction(s) in the CQR map materials, paper participants use either the
2020 Census Block Maps or the 2021 Partnership shapefiles that were used to conduct your
GU’s review of the 2020 Census results described in Chapter 2. For the paper participants that
used the 2021 Partnership shapefiles, but still wish to submit paper address materials, refer to
section 3.1.1 for guidance on using shapefiles. After reviewing the shapefile guidance, return to
this section for instructions on updating the other materials for a paper case.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

IMPORTANT: This guide does not include detailed instructions for making boundary
corrections. For specific instruction on making boundary corrections on paper,
review the 2021 BAS Paper Respondent Guide available for download from the
CQR website.
Though the BAS respondent guide contains all necessary information for making boundary
corrections, your GU must follow the instructions for assembling and submitting your CQR case
from this material, (e.g., section 5.3.3 and Chapter 6, respectively) not those in the BAS
respondent guide. Review the applicable section below that describes making boundary
corrections to the 2020 Census Block Maps at a high-level.

5.1.1

Using Adobe Acrobat to Correct Boundaries

1. Locate and open the map(s) from the CQR website.
a. Ensure use of Adobe Reader or Acrobat Professional to preserve symbology within the PDFs.
2. Use the Adobe editing tools to mark the incorrect boundary feature(s) with “Xs” and insert or
denote the correct boundary feature(s).
3. Label the new/correct boundary with the proper MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code
(MTFCC) as cited in Appendix E.
4. Use the Adobe editing tools to insert and label the map spots to correspond with the individual
address records in the Address List Template.
a. Ensure the map spot numbers on the map(s) match the map spot numbers in the Address
List Template. Not performing this step will jeopardize the processing of your boundary
correction and the CQR case submission.
5. Save and print the map(s) with the corrections.
6. Prepare and assemble the supporting documentation.
a. Refer to section D for details on appropriate supporting documentation.
7. Stage the updated maps and supporting documentation for quality checks and assembly as
described in section 5.3.1.
a. The Census Bureau only needs the maps affected by the boundary discrepancy, so only
submit maps with boundary corrections.
8. If the Census Bureau research concludes the boundary correction is valid and makes the
update(s), they will prepare verification materials (e.g., 2020 Census CQR Block Maps and
updated Partnership shapefiles) for the GU to use to confirm the work prior to finalizing the
boundary and revising the counts. Refer to Appendix F for information on this material.

5.1.2

Using Hard Copy Maps to Correct Boundaries

1. Locate, open, and print the map(s) from the CQR website.
a. Ensure use of Adobe Reader or Acrobat Professional to preserve symbology within the PDFs.
b. Contact the Census Bureau by phone at (888) 369-3617 or by email at
to request printed map products if your GU is
unable to print the necessary 2020 Census Block Maps from the CQR website.
2. Use a colored pencil, as described in the BAS Guide, to mark the incorrect boundary feature(s)
with “Xs” and insert or denote the correct boundary feature.
a. Colored pencils are not provided by the Census Bureau for 2020 Census CQR.
3. Label the new/correct boundary with the proper MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code
(MTFCC) as cited in Appendix E.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

4. Draw and label the map spots on the maps to correspond with the individual address records in
the Address List Template.
a. Ensure the map spot numbers on the map(s) match the map spot numbers in the Address
List Template. Not performing this step will jeopardize the processing of your boundary
correction and the CQR case submission.
5. Prepare and assemble the supporting documentation.
a. Refer to section D for details on appropriate supporting documentation.
6. Stage the updated maps and supporting documentation for quality checks and assembly as
described in section 5.3.1.
a. The Census Bureau only needs the maps affected by the boundary discrepancy, so only
submit maps with boundary corrections.
7. If the Census Bureau research concludes the boundary correction is valid and makes the
update(s), they will prepare verification materials (e.g., 2020 Census CQR Block Maps and
updated Partnership shapefiles) for the GU to use to confirm the work prior to finalizing the
boundary and revising the counts. Refer to Appendix F for information on this material.

5.1.3

Using the Address List Template File (Paper)

First introduced in section 1.5, the Census Bureau created the Address List Template File for use
with the three acceptable types of individual addresses (e.g., city style, non-city style, and
group quarters). If your GU chooses to use their own file, ensure it contains the same fields of
information as the Address List Template File and that it follows the same file format to
preserve the fields as Text. Follow the steps below to accurately update the Address List
Template for your GU.
For those planning to type the individual address records into the Address List Template:
1. Download the Address List Template File from the CQR website.
a. Select either the .csv format or .xls format depending on your GU’s preference.
2. Open the file.
a. If using the .csv file, it must be imported into Excel or used in a separate piece of software
(e.g., Notepad or WordPad) that preserves the fields as text.
b. If using the .xls file, it can be opened by using the mouse to double click the file name.
c. Regardless of the file type chosen for use, GUs must ensure the fields remain as text. Doing
so preserves the validity and accuracy of the data entered in the file (i.e., retaining
leading/trailing zeros for STATE, COUNTY, 2020_TRACT, and MAILING_ZIP_CODE fields).
3. Type/Enter the individual address records into the file for all the residential addresses affected
by the boundary correction that existed and were available for occupancy on April 1, 2020.
a. Ensure inclusion of all required fields; noting that field requirements change based on the
type of address. Refer to Table 3 for details.
4. Save the file often to preserve your work.
a. Recommended file naming convention is as follows:
cqr20___UpdatedALT.csv (or .xls)
5. Once complete, print the file.
6. Prepare additional supporting documentation related to the addresses following guidance in
section D.
7. Stage the printed pages and address-related supporting documentation for quality checks and
assembly as described in section 5.3.1.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

For those planning to handwrite the individual address records into the Address List Template:
1. Download the Address List Template File from the CQR website.
a. Select either the .csv format or .xls format depending on your GU’s preference.
2. Open the file.
3. Create a page of blank rows in the Address List Template File and print it.
4. Make the necessary number of copies to complete your work.
a. Save one blank page to make copies if additional pages are needed.
5. Handwrite the individual address records into the file for all the residential addresses affected
by the boundary correction that existed and were available for occupancy on April 1, 2020.
a. Ensure inclusion of all required fields; noting that field requirements change based on the
type of address. Refer to Table 3 for details.
6. Prepare additional supporting documentation related to the addresses following guidance in
section D.
7. Stage the handwritten materials and address-related supporting documentation for quality
checks and assembly as described in section 5.3.1.

IMPORTANT: Critical for processing either a typed or handwritten Address List Template is the
inclusion of either the latitude and longitude coordinates (for GUs using 2021
Partnership shapefiles) or map spot numbers (for GUs using 2020 Census Block
Maps). The map spot numbers used in the Address List Template must match to
the corresponding map spots labeled by the GU on the 2020 Census Block Maps.

5.2

Preparing a Paper Case with a Housing Count Discrepancy

As first introduced in the Case Types section, section C, for the Census Bureau to successfully
review and process a paper case with a housing count discrepancy, it must include the following
items:
•

List that includes the contested 2020 tabulation blocks in their GU, their current housing counts,
and the corrected housing counts for both housing units and group quarters as of
April 1, 2020.

•

Supporting documentation, as detailed in section D.

Note:

No maps are required to accompany a case with only a housing count discrepancy.

If housing count discrepancies were identified during the review of 2020 Census results, use the
CQR Block Count List File to make corrections. If your GU chooses to use their own locally
created file, ensure it contains the same fields of information as the CQR Block Count List Files
and that it follows the same file format to preserve the fields as Text. Follow the steps below to
accurately update the CQR Block Count List File(s) for your GU.
For those planning to type the corrected housing count information:
1. Open the CQR Block Count List File(s) your GU used during the review of the 2020 Census
results.
a. Ensure all fields remain as Text to preserve leading/trailing zeros of data entered in the file.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

2. Type/Enter the correct housing count tallies for housing units and/or group quarters for the
blocks identified with discrepant counts into the respective fields (i.e., CQRHU and CQRGQ).
a. Ensure that the corrected tallies represent the residential addresses that existed and were
available for occupancy on April 1, 2020.
b. Do not enter information for blocks that contain accurate counts.
c. Do not repeat correct count information in the CQRHU or CQRGQ fields.
3. Save your CQR Block Count List File often to preserve your work.
4. Upon completion of all corrections, sort the file so that the records with values in the CQRHU
and CQRGQ fields (i.e., CQRHU and/or CQRGQ not blank or CQRHU and/or CQRGQ not null)
promote the blocks with corrections to the top of the file OR save only the records with values
in the CQRHU and CQRGQ fields into a separate file that contains only the 2020 tabulation
blocks with corrected housing counts.
a. Recommended file naming convention of this subset file is as follows:
cqr20___UpdatedBCL.csv (or .xlsx).
5. Print the pages with the corrected records OR, if you created a separate file, print the newly
created file that includes just the corrected blocks.
6. Prepare and assemble the supporting documentation following guidance in section D.
7. Stage the printed and supporting documentation for quality checks and assembly as described in
section 5.3.2.

For those planning to handwrite the corrected count information:
1. Open the CQR Block Count List File your GU used during the review of the 2020 Census results.
a. Ensure all fields remain as Text to preserve leading/trailing zeros of data entered in the file.
2. Print the pages that contain the blocks with discrepant counts identified during the review
process.
3. Handwrite the correct housing count tallies for housing units and/or group quarters for the
blocks identified with discrepant counts into the respective fields (i.e., CQRHU and CQRGQ).
a. Ensure that the corrected tallies represent the residential addresses that existed and were
available for occupancy on April 1, 2020.
b. Do not enter information for blocks that contain accurate counts.
c. Do not repeat correct information in the CQRHU or CQRGQ fields.
4. Prepare and assemble the supporting documentation following guidance in section D.
5. Stage the handwritten pages and supporting documentation for quality checks and assembly as
described in section 5.3.2.

5.3

Conducting Quality Checks and Finalizing a Paper Submission

After completing the process of correcting the boundary and/or housing counts for errant
blocks, perform quality checks on the file(s). The quality checks vary based upon the type of
case. Navigate to the local directory where the paper case materials are saved (e.g., CQR) or
locate the staged paper maps. Review the appropriate section below for your GU’s case type.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

5.3.1
•

•

Quality Checks for a Paper Case with a Boundary Discrepancy
On the maps, ensure the notation of the incorrect boundary and the corresponding correct
boundary as well as the presence of individual address map spot numbers that match the
corresponding number shown in the MAPSPOT field within the Address List Template. Inclusion
of latitude and longitude coordinates (with a minimum of six-digits after the decimal point) in
the Address List Template is also permitted.
o Ensure the use of correct MTFCC on newly added/corrected boundary features.
o Ensure only maps affected by the boundary discrepancy are included.
Review the printed Address List Template, or locally created template, to ensure all required
fields and information are included.

•

In the Address List Template, confirm the presence of leading and trailing zeros, if applicable, in
the STATE, COUNTY, 2020_TRACT, LATITUDE, LONGITUDE, and the two ZIP Code related fields.
o Records that are improperly formatted or corrupted indicate the file was originally opened
incorrectly, which means the records within it are inaccurate and likely cannot be processed.
Handwritten records that do not include proper formatting likely cannot be processed.
Recreate your GU’s submission following requirements from Table 3.

•

Ensure the Address List Template only includes individual addresses affected by the boundary
correction and not the complete address list for the GU.

•

Ensure the individual addresses in the Address List Template represent only residential
addresses that existed and were available for occupancy on April 1, 2020 and include all the
required information for a valid address record (city style, non-city style, group quarters, and
records for Puerto Rico) as outlined in Table 3.
o Confirm the individual addresses in the Address List Template include either latitude and
longitude coordinates (in the LATITUDE and LONGITUDE fields for participants using 2021
Partnership shapefiles) or map spot numbers (in the MAPSPOT field for participants using
2020 Census Block Maps).
 The map spot numbers used in the Address List Template must match the
corresponding map spot numbers labeled by the GU on the 2020 Census Block Maps.
 If latitude and longitude coordinates are provided, ensure the presence of six-digits
after the decimal point.

•

Ensure the inclusion of all supporting documentation as described in section D.

5.3.2

Quality Checks for a Paper Case with a Housing Count Discrepancy

•

In the CQR Block Count List, confirm preservation of leading and trailing zeros, if applicable, on
the STATEFP, COUNTYFP, TRACT, and BLOCK fields.
o Records that are improperly formatted or corrupted indicate the file was originally opened
incorrectly, which means the records within it are inaccurate and likely cannot be processed.
Handwritten records that do not include proper formatting likely cannot be processed.
Recreate your submission.

•

Ensure inclusion of only the pages/records from the CQR Block Count List for blocks with
corrections.

•

Ensure the corrected housing counts only include qualifying residential addresses (i.e., existed
and were available for occupancy on April 1, 2020).

•

Ensure the corrected housing counts in CQRHU and CQRGQ differ from the original housing
counts in CENSUSHU and CENSUSGQ.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

•

Ensure all the other content remains consistent with the original CQR Block Count List File as
outlined in Table 2.

•

Ensure the inclusion of all supporting documentation as described in section D.

5.3.3

Finalizing a Paper Submission

Once satisfied with the content and quality of the CQR case materials, proceed with assembly
and packaging following the guidance below. Retain a copy for your records and to facilitate
communication with the Census Bureau if questions arise.
For cases with only boundary discrepancy(s):
1. Locate the staged materials.
2. Double wrap the printed page(s) of individual address records from the Address List Template
and maps with map spots for individual addresses using an inner and outer envelope (or
container), one within the other.
3. Label both sides of the inner envelope/container with the notice,
“DISCLOSURE PROHIBITED BY TITLE 13 U.S.C.”
4. Place the inner envelope/container into the outer envelope/container.
5. Include all relevant supporting documentation in the outer envelope/container. This
information does not need to be in the inner envelope.
6. Do not label the outer envelope/container with the disclosure notice.
7. Proceed to Chapter 6 for instructions on submitting these materials.

For cases with only housing count discrepancy(s):
1. Locate the staged materials.
2. Assemble the pages with corrected block records in an envelope/container for shipping to the
Census Bureau.
a. There is no need to double wrap the materials because there is no Title 13 U.S.C.
information included.
3. Include all relevant supporting documentation.
4. Proceed to Chapter 6 for instructions on submitting these materials.

For cases with both boundary and housing count discrepancies:
1. Locate the staged materials.
2. Double wrap the printed materials that include individual address information (e.g., individual
address records from the Address List Template and maps with map spots for individual
addresses) using an inner and outer envelope (or container), one within the other.
3. Label both sides of the inner envelope/container with the notice,
“DISCLOSURE PROHIBITED BY TITLE 13 U.S.C.”
4. Place the inner envelope/container into the outer envelope/container.
5. Assemble the pages from the CQR Block Count List for shipment to the Census Bureau. There is
no need to double wrap the materials because there is no Title 13 U.S.C. information included.
6. Include all relevant supporting documentation in the outer envelope/container. This
information does not need to be in the inner envelope.
7. Do not label the outer envelope/container with the disclosure notice.
8. Proceed to Chapter 6 to proceed with submitting these materials.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

CHAPTER 6

SUBMITTING A PAPER CASE

After completing the assembly of materials, paper participants ship their CQR case to the
Census Bureau’s National Processing Center. The Census Bureau recommends using a service
that provides tracking information, such as the United States Postal Service (USPS) traceable
delivery, FedEx, United Parcel Service (UPS), or similar service. Retain the tracking information
as proof of delivery.
Ship the CQR case submission to the following address:
U.S. Census Bureau
National Processing Center
ATTN: CQR Geography Bldg 63E
1201 E 10th St
Jeffersonville IN 47132

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

PART 4

NEXT STEPS FOR 2020 CENSUS CQR

This final part of the guide summarizes the next steps for 2020 Census CQR, which include 1)
the issuance of the determination letters/emails to communicate with the GU the results of
research and findings for their case and 2) the publication of revised data, or errata, online.
Note:

The determination letters/emails vary based upon outcome of the case.

For cases resulting in revisions to the official 2020 Census counts, the Census Bureau issues
new, official revised counts to the GU and any additional affected GUs. These new counts can
be used by GUs for future programs or operations that require official 2020 Census data. The
counts can also be used to calculate subsequent population estimates for the GU. The results
are also prepared as revised counts, or errata. Errata is posted on the CQR website on a flow
basis as they become available.
The revised counts are integrated into all population estimates released after the 2020 Census
CQR case is closed. The ACS and PRCS use population totals from the Population Estimates
Program at the incorporated place, minor civil division, and county levels to adjust the
population totals published by the survey. Thus, to the extent that the population estimates
incorporate the 2020 Census CQR results, the ACS and PRCS will also reflect those revisions. The
Census Bureau will not incorporate CQR revisions into the 2020 Census data summary files and
tables or re-tabulate any of the other 2020 Census data products.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

APPENDICES

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

APPENDIX A
A1

OTHER MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR 2020 CENSUS CQR

2020 Census P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data Files and Geographic Products

These materials, as directed by Public Law (P.L.) 94-171, were the first materials released by the
Census Bureau, other than Apportionment, with the 2020 Census results. They include data
files and geographic products (e.g., maps, block equivalency files, and shapefiles), that the 50
states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico use for legislative redistricting. Though not the
preferred material to conduct a review for CQR purposes, GUs may use this material to
determine if their boundary is incorrect and/or their housing counts and group quarters
population are not as anticipated and determine whether to prepare a case requesting a review
by the Census Bureau of specific blocks or boundaries.
The redistricting data files contain block level 2020 Census results that include people and
housing characteristics for specific geographic areas. GUs may review Table P1 – Race to
determine if their overall, total population aligns with their expectations. If not, GUs may
review tables H1 – Occupancy Status and P5 – Group Quarters Population by Major Group
Quarters Type in their state’s data file with the corresponding shapefiles and/or maps to
determine if their housing counts and group quarters population counts from the 2020 Census
are as they expect. If the counts are not as expected, GUs should investigate further using the
materials available for block level analysis (e.g., the CQR Block Count List and/or the 2020
Address Count Listing Files Viewer). Those materials are detailed in Chapter 1 of this guide.
The universe table for Table H1 – Occupancy Status is housing units. In other words, Table H1
specifically contains living quarters defined as housing units. This table does not contain unit
counts for living quarters defined as group quarters.
The universe table for Table P5 – Group Quarters Population by Major Group Quarters Type is
population in group quarters. Table P5 contains the total population living in group quarters.
This count is further disaggregated into institutionalized and noninstitutionalized group
quarters population counts. Table P5 does not contain demographic characteristics.
To learn more about all the redistricting materials, navigate to the main Redistricting Data
Office website: . The 2020 redistricting materials are located beneath the “2020” tab.

Census Block-based Work Maps

There are some instances where the scale of the 2020 Census Block Maps prevents the clear
visualization of a GU boundary or of certain densely clustered or geographically small 2020
tabulation blocks. To remedy that situation, the Census Bureau can create census block-based
work maps for the GU; however, the GUs must contact the Census Bureau either by email at
or by phone at (888) 369-3617 to discuss their
specific situation and request these materials.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

A-1

These maps are large-scale, small format (e.g., legal size – 8.5” x 14”) individual census blockbased PDF maps. They do not contain any individual address or map spot information that
would be protected under Title 13 U.S.C. These materials are only available upon request if the
other available map materials prevent a review or update of a legal boundary or census block.
The Census Bureau will provide this material on DVD along with other supporting files. The map
related contents on the DVD include:
•

About_the_maps.pdf

•

Readme.txt

•

DC20BLK_.pdf (large format 2020 Census Block Maps)

•

DC20BLK__BLK2MS.txt (Block-to-Map-Sheet relationship file for the
large format maps)

•

/2020Census_workmaps
o BLOCKLEGEND_CQR20.pdf
o BLOCKINFO_CQR20_.pdf
o CQR20BLK_.pdf
 Where ss is the two-digit state FIPS code, ccc is the three-digit county FIPS code, tttttt is
the six-digit census tract number, and bbbb is the four-digit census block number).

Figure 10 shows an example of an index sheet for a census block with five parent sheets while
Figure 11 shows parent sheet 1 for that same census block. Both map sheets are in landscape
orientation; however, map sheets are generated using the best layout for the shape of the
census block. As a result, a GU may receive maps in portrait and landscape orientation. Refer to
Figure 12 for an example of a legend. All three of these examples are of prototype maps and
may not be identical to the final materials.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

A-2

Figure 10: Example of a Census Block-based Work Map Index Sheet

Figure 11: Example of a Census Block-based Work Map Parent Sheet

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

A-3

Figure 12: Example of a Census Block-based Work Map Legend

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

A-4

APPENDIX B

PARTNERSHIP SHAPEFILE REFERENCE INFORMATION

The information included in this appendix is a metadata resource. Use these shapefiles to
conduct a detailed review of the 2020 Census results and, if necessary, to prepare a case.
Before the shapefiles can be used, follow the steps outlined in Table 4.
Table 4: Steps to Unzip and Stage the 2021 Partnership Shapefiles
Step

Action and Result(s)
From the locally created directory where the materials are saved, unzip the “shapefile” .zip file. For
this example that is “CQR.”

Step 1

The example above shows the naming convention of a “shapefile” .zip file downloaded from the
partnership shapefiles website. The naming convention may vary based on how the file was received
(e.g., downloaded from CQR website or received in a different manner from the Census Bureau). The
screen capture also shows the CQR Block Count List File for the state Maryland discussed in section
1.2.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-1

Step

Action and Result(s)
For this example, a WinZip confirmation window appears asking where to unzip the file. Choose the
first option to unzip to the locally created directory (e.g., CQR).

Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

An additional sub-directory, with the same name as the .zip file, appears within the CQR directory
after the unzip action completes.

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-2

Step

Action and Result(s)
Open the sub-directory, to reveal a minimum of two additional .zip files that must be unzipped. The
first file, which ends with the two-digit state FIPS code, includes the state-level files for the GU and is
automatically delivered with the county-level files requested by the GU. These files can be useful
while conducting the review of 2020 Census results in the local GIS and are required by GUPS.

Step 3

This example shows the state-level Maryland .zip file (24) and a county-level Anne Arundel County,
Maryland, .zip file (24003).
The unzip process on the initial .zip file could result in more than one county-level .zip file based on
whether more than one county was selected during the download process For example, if a GU
spans more than one county, they would download all the applicable county-based shapefiles to
cover the entirety of the GU to conduct their review.
Create the two additional sub-directories within the CQR directory. One for the state and one for the
county-level .zip files. If the GU’s initial .zip file includes more than one county-level .zip file, create
individual county sub-directories for each.

Step 4

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-3

Step

Action and Result(s)
Unzip the state-level .zip file to the state sub-directory and the county-level .zip file to the county
sub-directory. For WinZip this occurs by selecting the third option, “Yes, unzip the files to a folder I
choose.”

Step 5

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-4

Step

Action and Result(s)
For each .zip file, navigate to the appropriate sub-directory and select Unzip.

Step 6

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-5

Step

Action and Result(s)
Once unzipped, each sub-directory contains the shapefile components. Once complete, confirm both
sub-directories contain shapefiles that begin with “PVS_20_v2.” This is the version required by 2020
Census CQR.

Step 7

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-6

Step

Action and Result(s)
Though this guide is for digital and paper participants, it is important to mention that GUPS requires
one sub-directory with the state shapefiles (named by the state FIPS code), one sub-directory with
the county shapefiles (named by the county FIPS code), and the CQR Block Count List (correctly
named “2020CQR_STxx_block_countlist.csv”), where xx is the two-digit state FIPS code.
The presence of additional files in the main directory (e.g., CQR) does not affect GUPS. These
additional files could be local GIS files, local supporting documentation, the initial .zip file of
shapefiles, etc. Should a GU decide to use GUPS, configuring the data in the manner described in this
table will make that transition successful.

All shapefiles provided by the Census Bureau are in an unprojected, geographic-based
coordinate system. They have the following associated metrics:
•

Coordinate System: Geographic Coordinate System (GCS)

•

Datum: North American Datum 1983 (NAD83).

•

Spheroid: Geographic Reference System 1980 (GRS1980).
o Semimajor Axis: 6378137.000000000000000.
o Semiminor Axis: 6356752.314140356100000000.
o Inverse Flattening: 298.257222101000020000.

•
•

Prime Meridian: Greenwich (Longitude 0.000000000000000000).
Angular Unit: Decimal Degree.
o Radians per Unit (0.017453292519943295).

All shapefile coordinates are double precision (64-bit) floating point numbers. Double precision
coordinate shapefiles are necessary to accurately represent geographic features, including
geographic entity boundaries. All shapefiles are a collection of four files that include:
•

.shp (main file).

•

.shx (index file).

•

.dbf (database table in dBase IV format).

•

.prj (projection file in well-known text format (WKT)).

Table 5 contains the important 2021 Partnership shapefiles for 2020 Census CQR. Using this
table with the information discussed in section B and in appendix B1, GUs can determine which
files they need to complete their review of the 2020 Census results. GUs use these same layers
if they choose to submit a case.
Note:

Refer to detailed technical documentation on the TIGER/Line Shapefiles and
TIGER/Line Files that provide supplementary information to the Partnership
shapefiles. This documentation may prove helpful to tribal GUs to understand the
coding with the shapefiles that identify their entity.

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B-7

Table 5: Important 2021 Partnership Shapefiles for 2020 Census CQR
Shapefile
Layer

Naming Convention

Availability
(State/County)

Uses

Notes

Alaska Native
Regional
Corporation

PVS_20_v2_anrc_

State and County

Use for the
boundaries of Alaska
Native Regional
Corporations.

Applicable only for
Alaska.

All Lines

PVS_20_v2_edges_

County

Use for the depiction
of roads, rails,
hydrography lines,
powerlines, etc.

Map by the MAF/TIGER
Feature Classification
Code field (MTFCC) to
discern the type of line.

American
Indian Areas
– Legal

PVS_20_v2_aial_

State and County

Use for the
boundaries of Federal
reservations and offreservation trust lands
as well as State
reservations.

American
Indian Areas
– Statistical

PVS_20_v2_aias_

State and County

Use for the
boundaries of tribal
statistical geographies
(e.g., Alaska Native
village statistical
areas, Oklahoma tribal
statistical areas, Tribal
designated statistical
areas, and State
designated tribal
statistical areas.

American
Indian Tribal
Subdivisions
– Legal

PVS_20_v2_aitsl_

State and County

Use for the
boundaries of tribal
subdivisions located
on federal
reservations and/or
off-reservation trust
lands.

American
Indian Tribal
Subdivisions
– Statistical

PVS_20_v2_aitss_

State and County

Use for the
boundaries of
statistical tribal
subdivisions.

Area
Landmarks

PVS_20_v2_arealm_

County

May be a useful
reference layer.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Applicable only for
Oklahoma (e.g., OTSA
tribal subdivisions).

B-8

Shapefile
Layer

Naming Convention

Availability
(State/County)

Uses

Notes

Census
Blocks –
Current

PVS_20_v2_tabblock_

County

IMPORTANT: Use as
the source of the 2020
tabulation blocks in
conjunction with the
PVS_20_v2_curtracts
layer.

Regardless of the year
(2021-2023) submitting
a CQR case, use the
PVS_20_v2 version of
Partnership shapefiles as
the source of official
2020 tabulation blocks.

Census
Designated
Places

PVS_20_v2_cdp_

State and County

Use for the
boundaries of census
designated places.

IMPORTANT: For 2020
Census CQR, this layer is
applicable only for
Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

Census Tracts
– Current

PVS_20_v2_curtracts_

County

IMPORTANT: Use as
the source of the 2020
census tracts in
conjunction with the
PVS_20_v2_tabblock
layer.

Regardless of the year
(2021-2023) submitting
a CQR case, use the
PVS_20_v2 version of
Partnership shapefiles as
the source of official
2020 census tracts.

Consolidated
Cities

PVS_20_v2_concity_

County

Use for the
boundaries of
consolidated cities.

Counties and
Equivalent
Areas

PVS_20_v2_county_

State and County

Use for the
boundaries of
counties and county
equivalents.

County
Subdivisions
– Legal

PVS_20_v2_mcd_

State and County

Use for the
boundaries of legally
defined county
subdivisions (e.g.,
minor civil divisions).

Geographic
Offsets

PVS_20_v2_offset_

County

Use for the
boundaries of
corporate corridors
and/or offsets to view
those special type of
legally recognized
boundaries.

Hawaiian
Home Lands

PVS_20_v2_hhl_

State and County

Use for the
boundaries of
Hawaiian home lands.

Hydrography
– Area

PVS_20_v2_water_

County

May be a useful
reference layer.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

Applicable only for
Hawaii.

B-9

Shapefile
Layer

Naming Convention

Availability
(State/County)

Uses

Notes

Incorporated
Places

PVS_20_v2_place_

State and County

Use for the
boundaries of
incorporated places
(e.g., cities, towns,
villages, etc.).

Point
Landmarks

PVS_20_v2_pointlm_

County

May be a useful
reference layer.

Roads

PVS_20_v2_roads_

County

Use as resource for
road features without
having to thematically
map the edges layer.

States and
Equivalent
Areas

PVS_20_v2_state_

State

Use for the
boundaries of states
and state equivalents.

Subbarrios

PVS_20_v2_submcd_

County

Use for the
boundaries of
subbarrio (e.g.,
subminor civil
divisions).

Applicable only for
Puerto Rico.

Address
Ranges

PVS_20_v2_addr_

County

Relationship Table,
not a shapefile, to use
for source of address
ranges associated with
roads in the edges
layer.

Match the TLID fields in
this table with the same
field in the edges layer.
TLID is not included in
roads layer, so ensure
use of edges when
joining.

This a subset of the
edges layer since it only
contains road features
(e.g. MTFCC with ‘S’).

For definitions of the legal and statistical area description codes (LSADs) used as an attribute
within many of the shapefiles, refer to the list of legal status codes available online. These
codes provide query capabilities to sort through the data and reference the proper records.

Eligible Participants and Relevant Shapefile Layers

After reviewing Table 5, refer to the information below for suggestions on which Partnership
shapefile layers are relevant for 2020 Census CQR based by type of eligible participant. Review
the Data Dictionary tables included in appendix B2 for specifics on the content of the layers
mentioned below.

B1.1 Tribal Areas – Federally recognized American Indian Tribe
•

American Indian Areas – Legal (for federally recognized American Indian reservations and offreservation trust lands and state recognized American Indian reservations).

•

American Indian Areas – Statistical (for tribal designated statistical areas and Oklahoma tribal
statistical areas).

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B-10

•

American Indian Tribal Subdivisions – Legal (for tribal subdivisions).

•

American Indian Tribal Subdivisions – Statistical (for tribal subdivisions within Oklahoma tribal
statistical areas).

•

Census Tracts.

•

Tabulation Blocks.

•

For reference only (as needed and if applicable):
o Address Ranges.
o All Lines.
o Consolidated Cities.
o Counties (and equivalents).
o County Subdivisions – Legal.
o Geographic Offsets.
o Hydrography (Area).
o Incorporated Places.
o Landmarks (Area and Point).
o Roads.
o States (and equivalents).

B1.2 Tribal Areas – Alaska Native Regional Corporations
•

Alaska Native Regional Corporation.

•

American Indian Areas – Statistical (for the ANVSA geography).

•

Census Tracts.

•

Tabulation Blocks.

•

B1.3 Tribal Areas – Alaska Native Villages
•

American Indian Areas – Statistical (for the ANVSA geography).

•

Census Tracts.

•

Tabulation Blocks.

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B-11

•

For reference only (as needed and if applicable):
o Address Ranges.
o Alaska Native Regional Corporation.
o All Lines.
o Consolidated Cities.
o Counties (and equivalents).
o County Subdivisions – Legal.
o Geographic Offsets.
o Hydrography (Area).
o Incorporated Places.
o Landmarks (Area and Point).
o Roads.
o States (and equivalents).

B1.4 State and Equivalents
•

American Indian Areas – Legal (for state recognized American Indian reservations).

•

American Indian Areas – Statistical (for state designated tribal statistical areas).

•

Census Designated Places (applicable for Hawaii and Puerto Rico only).

•

Census Tracts.

•

Consolidated Cities.

•

Counties (and equivalents).

•

County Subdivisions – Legal.

•

Geographic Offsets.

•

Hawaiian Home Lands (for Hawaii only).

•

Incorporated Places.

•

States (and equivalents).

•

Subbarrio (for Puerto Rico only).

•

Tabulation Blocks.

•

For reference only (as needed and if applicable):
o Address Ranges.
o All Lines.
o Hydrography (Area).
o Landmarks (Area and Point).
o Roads.

B1.5 County and Equivalents
•

Census Designated Places (applicable for Hawaii and Puerto Rico only)

•

Census Tracts.

•

Counties (and equivalents).

•

County Subdivisions – Legal.

•

Geographic Offsets.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-12

•

Incorporated Places.

•

Subbarrio (for Puerto Rico only).

•

Tabulation Blocks.

•

For reference only (as needed and if applicable):
o Address Ranges.
o All Lines.
o Census Designated Places.
o Hydrography (Area).
o Landmarks (Area and Point).
o Roads.
o States (and equivalents).

B1.6 Minor Civil Divisions
•

Census Tracts.

•

County Subdivisions – Legal.

•

Geographic Offsets.

•

Incorporated Places.

•

Tabulation Blocks.

•

For reference only (as needed and if applicable):
o Address Ranges.
o All Lines.
o Census Designated Places.
o Consolidated Cities.
o Counties (and equivalents).
o Hydrography (Area).
o Landmarks (Area and Point).
o Roads.
o States (and equivalents).

B1.7 Consolidated Cities
•

Census Tracts.

•

Consolidated Cities.

•

Tabulation Blocks.

•

For reference only (as needed and if applicable):
o Address Ranges.
o All Lines.
o Census Designated Places.
o Hydrography (Area).
o Incorporated Places.
o Counties (and equivalents).
o County Subdivisions – Legal.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

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o
o
o
o

Geographic Offsets.
Landmarks (Area and Point).
Roads.
States (and equivalents).

B1.8 Incorporated Places

•

Census Tracts.

•

Geographic Offsets.

•

Incorporated Places.

•

Tabulation Blocks.

•

For reference only (as needed and if applicable):
o Address Ranges.
o All Lines.
o Census Designated Places.
o Consolidated Cities.
o Counties (and equivalents).
o County Subdivisions – Legal.
o Hydrography (Area).
o Landmarks (Area and Point).
o Roads.
o States (and equivalents).

Data Dictionary Tables

The table information below, except for the State layer, is documented for the county-level
files. For layers that exist at both the state and county levels, only the county-level information
is provided. In addition, only the layers of interest for CQR that correspond to the layers
mentioned in appendix B1 are included in the tables below.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-14

Table 6: Census Blocks - Current Layer (tabblock)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

STATEFP20

Char

FIPS 2020 State Code

COUNTYFP20

Char

FIPS 2020 County Code

TRACTCE20

Char

2020 Census Tract Code

BLOCKCE

Char

Tabulation Block Number

SUFFIX1CE

Char

Census Block Suffix 1

SUFFIX2CE

Char

Census Block Suffix 2

NCELIGIBLE

Char

Field no longer used or accurate regarding New
Construction Program eligibility

BLKSZIND

Char

Block Size Indicator Field

BLOCK

Char

Tabulation Block Number, Census Block Suffix 1, Census
Block Suffix 2

PARTFLG

Char

Part flag indicator

BLOCKID

Char

FIPS State Code, FIPS County Code, Census Tract Code,
Tabulation Block Number, Census Block Suffix 1, Census
Block Suffix 2

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-15

Table 7: Census Tract - Current Layer (curtracts)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

TRACTCE

Char

2020 Census Tract Code

NAME

100

Char

Base Name portion of the Standardized Name

TRACTID

Char

FIPS State Code, FIPS County Code, 2020 Census Tract Code

NEW_CODE

Char

New Tract Code

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

TRACTTYP

Char

Tract Characteristic Flag

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

TRACTLABEL

Char

Census tract number used for LUCA geocoding

VINTAGE

Char

Vintage

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-16

Table 8: All Lines Layer (edges)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

TLID

10,0

Number

TIGER Line ID or the Permanent Edge ID

TFIDL

10,0

Number

TIGER Line ID or the Permanent Face ID, Left

TFIDR

10,0

Number

TIGER Line ID or the Permanent Face ID, Right

MTFCC

Char

MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code

FIDELITY

Char

Indication to a participant when their entity boundary has
changed through spatial enhancement

FULLNAME

Char

Decoded Feature Name with abbreviated qualifier,
direction, and feature type

SMID

22,0

Number

Spatial Tmeta ID

SMIDTYPE

Varchar2

Source attribution for boundary edges. PLSS, Parcels,
Surveyed, etc.

BBSPFLG

Char

Indicates the Redistricting Data Project participant's
submitted request of an EDGE for selection for holding.

CBBFLG

Char

Indicates the status of an EDGE for a selection as tabulation
block boundary

BBSP_2020

Char

New BBSP Flag

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

LTOADD

Char

Left to address

RTOADD

Char

Right to address

LFROMADD

Char

Left from address

RFROMADD

Char

Right from address

ZIPL

Char

USPS ZIP Code to left side of the edge

ZIPR

Char

USPS ZIP Code to right side of the edge

EXTTYP

Char

Extension type

MTUPDATE

Date

Date of last update to the edge

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-17

Table 9: Alaska Native Regional Corporations Layer (anrc)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

ANRCFP

Char

FIPS ANRC Code (state based)

NAMELSAD

100

Char

Name with translated LSAD

LSAD

Char

Legal/Statistical Area Description

AIANNHNS

Char

ANSI numeric identifier for AIANNH Areas

FUNCSTAT

Char

Functional Status

CLASSFP

Char

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

PARTFLG

Char

Part flag indicator

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

Char

Authorization type for legal area updates

DOCU

120

Char

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

Char

Record ID for any boundary update

AREA

10,3

Number

Acreage of area update

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

NAME

100

Char

Name

VINTAGE

Char

Vintage

AIANNHFSR

Char

Flag indicating level of recognition of an American Indian,
Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian tribe or group

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-18

Table 10: American Indian Areas – Legal Layer (aial)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

AIANNHCE

Char

Census AIANNH code

COMPTYP

Char

Indicates if reservation (or equivalent) or off-reservation
trust land is present, or both

AIANNHFSR

Char

Flag indicating level of recognition of an American Indian,
Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian tribe or group

NAMELSAD

100

Char

Name with translated LSAD

AIANNHNS

Char

ANSI numeric identifier for AIANNH Areas

LSAD

Char

Legal/Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

Char

Functional Status

CLASSFP

Char

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

PARTFLG

Char

Part flag indicator

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

Char

Authorization type for legal area updates

DOCU

120

Char

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

Char

Record ID for any boundary update

AREA

10,3

Number

Acreage of area update

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

NAME

100

Char

Name

VINTAGE

Char

Vintage

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-19

Table 11: American Indian Areas – Statistical Layer (aias)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

AIANNHCE

Char

Census AIANNH code

COMPTYP

Char

Indicates if reservation (or equivalent) or off-reservation
trust land is present, or both

AIANNHFSR

Char

Flag indicating level of recognition of an American Indian,
Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian tribe or group

NAMELSAD

100

Char

Name with translated LSAD

AIANNHNS

Char

ANSI numeric identifier for AIANNH Areas

LSAD

Char

Legal/Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

Char

Functional Status

CLASSFP

Char

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

PARTFLG

Char

Part flag indicator

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

NAME

100

Char

Name

VINTAGE

Char

Vintage

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-20

Table 12: American Indian Tribal Subdivisions - Legal Layer (aitsl)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

AIANNHCE

Char

Census AIANNH code

TRIBSUBCE

Char

Census Tribal Subdivision Code

NAMELSAD

100

Char

Name with translated LSAD

TRIBSUBNS

Char

ANSI eight-digit feature code for the tribal subdivision

LSAD

Char

Legal/Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

Char

Functional Status

CLASSFP

Char

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

PARTFLG

Char

Part flag indicator

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

Char

Authorization type for legal area updates

DOCU

120

Char

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

Char

Record ID for any boundary update

AREA

10,3

Number

Acreage of area update

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

NAME

100

Char

Name

VINTAGE

Char

Vintage

AIANNHFSR

Char

Flag indicating level of recognition of an American Indian,
Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian tribe or group

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-21

Table 13: American Indian Tribal Subdivisions - Statistical Layer (aitss)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

AIANNHCE

Char

Census AIANNH code

TRIBSUBCE

Char

Census Tribal Subdivision Code

NAMELSAD

100

Char

Name with translated LSAD

TRIBSUBNS

Char

ANSI eight-digit feature code for the tribal subdivision

LSAD

Char

Legal/Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

Char

Functional Status

CLASSFP

Char

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

PARTFLG

Char

Part flag indicator

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

NAME

100

Char

Name

VINTAGE

Char

Vintage

AIANNHFSR

Char

Flag indicating level of recognition of an American Indian,
Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian tribe or group

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-22

Table 14: Area Landmarks Layer (arealm)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

MTFCC

Char

MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code

FULLNAME

120

Char

Prefix Direction Code, Prefix Type code, Base Name, Suffix
Type Code, Suffix Direction code

AREAID

Char

Object ID

ANSICODE

Char

Represents the official code for use by Federal agencies for
data transfer and dissemination

PARTFLG

Char

Part flag indicator

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

BAG

Char

Block Area Grouping

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-23

Table 15: Census Designated Places Layer (cdp)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

PLACEFP

Char

FIPS 55 Place Code

PLACENS

Char

ANSI feature code for the place

NAMELSAD

100

Char

Name with translated LSAD

LSAD

Char

Legal/Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

Char

Functional Status

CLASSFP

Char

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

PARTFLG

Char

Part flag indicator

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

NAME

100

Char

Name

VINTAGE

Char

Vintage

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-24

Table 16: Consolidated Cities Layer (concity)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

CONCITYFP

Char

FIPS 55 Place Code

NAMELSAD

100

Char

Name with translated LSAD

PLACENS

Char

ANSI feature code for the place

LSAD

Char

Legal/Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

Char

Functional Status

CLASSFP

Char

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

Char

Authorization type for legal area updates

DOCU

120

Char

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

Char

Record ID for any boundary update

AREA

10,3

Number

Acreage of area update

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

NAME

100

Char

Name

VINTAGE

Char

Vintage

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-25

Table 17: Counties and Equivalent Areas Layer (county)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

COUNTYNS

Char

ANSI feature code for county or equivalent feature

NAMELSAD

100

Char

Name with translated LSAD

LSAD

Char

Legal/Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

Char

Functional Status

CLASSFP

Char

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

Char

Authorization type for legal area updates

DOCU

120

Char

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

Char

Record ID for any boundary update

AREA

10,3

Number

Acreage of area update

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

NAME

100

Char

Name

VINTAGE

Char

Vintage

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-26

Table 18: County Subdivisions - Legal Layer (mcd)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

COUSUBFP

Char

FIPS 55 County Subdivision code

NAMELSAD

100

Char

Name with translated LSAD

COUSUBNS

Char

ANSI feature code for the county subdivision

LSAD

Char

Legal/Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

Char

Functional Status

CLASSFP

Char

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

Char

Authorization type for legal area updates

DOCU

120

Char

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

Char

Record ID for any boundary update

AREA

10,3

Number

Acreage of area update

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

NAME

100

Char

Name

VINTAGE

Char

Vintage

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-27

Table 19: Geographic Offsets Layer (offset)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

TFID

Number

Permanent Face ID

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

OFFSET

Char

Geographic Corridor/Offset Flag

ADDEXCLUDE

Char

Address Exclusion Indicator

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-28

Table 20: Hawaiian Home Lands Layer (hhl)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

AIANNHCE

Char

Census AIANNH code

COMPTYP

Char

Indicates if reservation (or equivalent) or off-reservation
trust land is present

NAMELSAD

100

Char

Name with translated LSAD

AIANNHNS

Char

ANSI numeric identifier for AIANNH Areas

LSAD

Char

Legal/Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

Char

Functional Status

CLASSFP

Char

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

PARTFLG

Char

Part flag indicator

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

Char

Authorization type for legal area updates

DOCU

120

Char

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

Char

Record ID for any boundary update

AREA

10,3

Number

Acreage of area update

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

NAME

100

Char

Name

VINTAGE

Char

Vintage

AIANNHFSR

Char

Flag indicating level of recognition of an American Indian,
Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian tribe or group

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-29

Table 21: Hydrography - Area Layer (water)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

ANSICODE

Char

Represents the official code for use by Federal agencies for
data transfer and dissemination

MTFCC

Char

MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code

FULLNAME

120

Char

Prefix Direction Code, Prefix Type code, Base Name, Suffix
Type Code, Suffix Direction code

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

HYDROID

Char

Object ID

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-30

Table 22: Incorporated Places Layer (place)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

PLACEFP

Char

FIPS 55 Place Code

NAMELSAD

100

Char

Name with translated LSAD

PLACENS

Char

ANSI feature code for the place

LSAD

Char

Legal/Statistical Area Description

FUNCSTAT

Char

Functional Status

CLASSFP

Char

FIPS 55 class code describing an entity

PARTFLG

Char

Part flag indicator

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AUTHTYPE

Char

Authorization type for legal area updates

DOCU

120

Char

Supporting documentation

FORM_ID

Char

Record ID for any boundary update

AREA

10,3

Number

Acreage of area update

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

NAME

100

Char

Name

VINTAGE

Char

Vintage

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-31

Table 23: Point Landmarks Layer (pointlm)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

POINTID

Char

Object ID

ANSICODE

Char

Represents the official code for use by Federal agencies for
data transfer and dissemination

MTFCC

Char

MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code

FULLNAME

120

Char

Prefix Direction Code, Prefix Type code, Base Name, Suffix
Type Code, Suffix Direction code

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of point update

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

Table 24: Roads Layer (roads)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

LINEARID

Char

Object ID

FULLNAME

120

Char

Prefix Direction Code, Prefix Type code, Base Name, Suffix
Type Code, Suffix Direction code

RTTYP

Varchar2

Route type code

MTFCC

Char

MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-32

Table 25: States and Equivalent Areas Layer (state)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

STATEUSPS

Char

USPS State Abbreviation

NAME

100

Char

Base Name Portion of Standardized Name

KSAD

Char

Legal/Statistical Area Description Code

STATENS

Char

ANSI Feature Code for the State

Table 26: Subbarrios Layer (submcd)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

COUSUBFP

Char

FIPS 55 County Subdivision Code

SUBMCDFP

Char

FIPS Sub-minor Civil Division Code

NAMELSAD

100

Char

Name with translated LSAD

SUBMCDNS

Char

ANSI feature code for the sub-minor civil division

LSAD

Char

Legal/Statistical Area Description

CHNG_TYPE

Char

Type of area update

EFF_DATE

Date

Effective date or vintage

AREA

10,3

Number

Acreage of area update

RELATE

120

Char

Relationship description

JUSTIFY

150

Char

Justification

FORM_ID

Char

Record ID for any boundary update

NAME

100

Char

Name

VINTAGE

Char

Vintage

FUNCSTAT

Char

Functional Status

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-33

Table 27: Address Ranges Relationship Table (addr)
Attribute Name

Field
Length

Field Type

Description

TLID

10,0

Number

TIGER Line ID or the Permanent Edge ID

STATEFP

Char

FIPS State Code

COUNTYFP

Char

FIPS County Code

FROMHN

Char

From House Number

TOHN

Char

To House Number

SIDE

Char

Side Indicator Flag

ZIP

Char

USPS ZIP Code

PLUS4

Char

USPS ZIP +4 Code

LFROMADD

Char

Blank; outdated field no longer used

LTOADD

Char

Blank; outdated field no longer used

RFROMADD

Char

Blank; outdated field no longer used

RTOADD

Char

Blank; outdated field no longer used

ZIPL

Char

Blank; outdated field no longer used

ZIPR

Char

Blank; outdated field no longer used

ZIP4L

Char

Blank; outdated field no longer used

ZIP4R

Char

Blank; outdated field no longer used

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

B-34

APPENDIX C

ACCEPTABLE ADDRESS TYPE EXAMPLES

IMPORTANT: The Address List Template File that includes individual address records is only necessary for boundary cases. Skip this
appendix if your case only includes housing count.
The four figures in this appendix provide a visual of a completed Address List Template File that contains eight acceptable address type
examples. None of the examples shown below or included in this appendix contain Title 13 U.S.C. information. All records are fictitious.
Figure 13 depicts all 25 fields of the Address List Template broken into three sections for readability. Part A, displayed in Figure 14, depicts
the first 11 fields of information. Part B, displayed in Figure 15, depicts the fields specific to Puerto Rico records. Part C, displayed in Figure
16, depicts the last eight fields of information.

Figure 13: Acceptable Address Types in the Address List Template File

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

C-1

Figure 14: Address List Template File "Part A" (Zoomed View)

Figure 15: Address List Template File "Part B" (Zoomed View)

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

C-2

Figure 16: Address List Template File "Part C" (Zoomed View)

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

C-3

APPENDIX D

PUERTO RICO ACCEPTABLE ADDRESS TYPE EXAMPLES

IMPORTANT: The Address List Template File that includes individual address records is only necessary for boundary cases. Skip this
appendix if your case only includes housing count.
The four figures in this appendix provide a visual of a completed Address List Template File that contains eight acceptable address type
examples for Puerto Rico. None of the examples shown below or included in this appendix contain Title 13 U.S.C. information. All records
are fictitious. Figure 17 depicts all 25 fields of the Address List Template broken into three sections for readability. Part A, displayed in
Figure 18, depicts the first 11 fields of information. Part B, displayed in Figure 19, depicts the fields specific to Puerto Rico records. Part C,
displayed in Figure 20, depicts the last eight fields of information.

Figure 17: Acceptable Address Types in the Address List Template File (Puerto Rico)

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

D-1

Figure 18: Address List Template File (Puerto Rico) "Part A" (Zoomed View)

Figure 19: Address List Template File (Puerto Rico) "Part B" (Zoomed View)

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

D-2

Figure 20: Address List Template File (Puerto Rico) "Part C" (Zoomed View)

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

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APPENDIX E

MAF/TIGER FEATURE CLASSIFICATION CODES

IMPORTANT: Only use the information within this appendix if the CQR case includes a
new/corrected boundary feature to add to the shapefile/map. The Census
Bureau will not process spatial updates submitted with the CQR case submission
unless they involve the reported boundary discrepancy.
The MAF/TIGER Feature Classification Code (MTFCC) is a five-digit code assigned by the Census
Bureau intended to classify and describe geographic objects or features. The 2021 Partnership
shapefile products include these codes. GUs that add a new/missing feature(s) to show a
boundary correction must assign a MTFCC to the added feature to ensure proper processing.
Map symbolization of these codes assist with distinguishing feature types, for instance
symbolizing based on the MTFCC helps distinguish a road from a stream or a railroad from a
pipeline in the All Lines (e.g. edges.zip file) layer. To learn more about MTFCCs refer to the
online list of MTFCC codes.
Note:

Use “P0001” for a non-visible linear feature that serves as a legal/statistical boundary
when the boundary does not correspond to a shoreline or other visible feature on the
ground represented by the other MTFCCs.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

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APPENDIX F

BOUNDARY VERIFICATION MATERIALS

For GUs that submit a case with a boundary correction(s), if the Census Bureau research
concludes the boundary correction is valid and makes the update(s), they will prepare
verification materials for the GU to use to confirm the work prior to finalizing the boundary and
revising the counts. These boundary verification materials are available to a GU as either large
format 2020 Census CQR Block Maps or updated Partnership shapefiles. The Census Bureau will
contact the GU when the materials are available for review. If the GU finds that the correction
is not accurate in the verification materials, the Census Bureau will work with the GU to resolve
the inaccuracy and will contact the GU to verify the correction again once updated materials
are available. Approval of the boundary correction is necessary to finalize the case.
The large format map materials are Adobe PDFs. Other than their title and file name, these are
identical in content and design to the 2020 Census Block Maps described earlier in this guide.
Regardless of the method of participation (digital, paper, or GUPS), GUs may use the 2020
Census CQR Block Maps to confirm the boundary correction prior to finalization and closure of
the CQR case.
The updated partnership shapefiles will have different attribute fields for the 2020 census tract
and 2020 tabulation block from the 2021 Partnership shapefile version. If a GU has questions
regarding the correct fields to use or how to use these files, the Census Bureau is available to
assist by phone at (888) 369-3617 or by email at .

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)

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File Type	application/pdf
File Title	2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (Digital/Paper)
Subject	Instructions for 2020 Census CQR Digital Participants and Paper Participants
Author	U.S. Census Bureau
File Modified	2021-10-27
File Created	2021-10-27