2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)

The 2020 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) allows  local governments, following Census Bureau guidelines, to review and update the boundaries for Census tracts, Census block groups, Census Designated Places, and, where applicable, Census County Divisions for the 2020 Census.  The updated statistical areas will be used by the Census Bureau to report data from the 2020 Decennial Census, American Community Survey, and, as appropriate, other censuses and surveys.  

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is serving as the 2020 Census PSAP primary participant for all counties in NCTCOG's 16-county region. NCTCOG's Transportation Department will coordinate the edits to Census geography boundaries with input from local governments and entities and submit final boundary plans for each county to the Census Bureau in spring 2019. The Census Bureau will review the edits and determine the final delineations.  In early 2020, NCTCOG and local governments must complete review of Census Bureau reviewed boundaries.

To stay informed or ask questions about the 2020 Census PSAP process in the NCTCOG region, please complete the Contact Us form below.

NCTCOG PSAP Timeline:

• February 5, 2019 - 2 p.m - Transportation Council Room, NCTCOG, 616 Six Flags Drive, Arlington, TX
  • NCTCOG will hold an informational session for all entities in the region about 2020 Census PSAP and how it will be organized in the NCTCOG Region.
  • Boundary delineation begins.
  • Census Bureau - Dallas District - Introduction to the 2020 Census PSAP Presentation
  • NCTCOG - 2020 Census PSAP in the NCTCOG Region Presentation

• February 15, 2019 - NCTCOG pre-plan for census tracts will be available for download.

• March 8, 2019  - Deadline for entities to submit their recommendations for census tract boundary delineations to NCTCOG. 

• March 8, 2019  - NCTCOG pre-plan for CDPs and CCDs will be available for download.

• April 1, 2019 - NCTCOG Updated Census Tract shapefiles which incorporate approved tract changes will be available for download.

• April 5, 2019 - NCTCOG pre-plan for block groups will be available for download. 

• May 1, 2019 - Deadline for entities to submit their recommendations for block group, CDPs, and CCDs boundary delineations to NCTCOG. 

• May 1 -June 28, 2019 - NCTCOG will review submissions, work with entities to resolve any conflicts, and make final submissions for each county to the Census Bureau.

• July - December 2019 - Census Bureau will review the submitted boundary delineations and determine final delineations.

• January  2020 - Census Bureau provides reviewed and modified boundary delineations for validation review.

• February 20, 2020 - Census Bureau Validation shapefiles are available to download. 

• March 15, 2020 - Stakeholders submit change requests and supporting documentation to NCTCOG. Change requests can only be made to census tracts and block groups that were modified by the Census Bureau in 2019. 

• March 2020 - NCTCOG will review change requests, and prepare final submissions to the Census Bureau.

• Census Bureau’s Participant Statistical Areas Program Website: