Rural Development 

Office of the 

Under Secretary 

1400 Independence 

Ave SW 

Washington, DC 

20250 

Voice 202.720.4581 

Fax 202.720.2080 

RD AN No. 4888 (1940-L and RUS Staff 

Instructions 1780-2, 1780-5) 

Replace AN 4886 

October 27, 2022 

SUBJECT: Implementation of 2020 Census Data for Rural Development 

Programs 

TO: State Directors 

Agency Administrators 

National Office Assistant and Deputy Administrators 

All Rural Development Employees 

FROM: Xochitl Torres-Small /s/ Xochitl Torres-Small

 Under Secretary 

ATTENTION: RUS, RHS, RBCS National Office Program Staff, Community 

Programs Directors, Business Programs Directors, State Engineers, 

State Architects and Administrators 

PURPOSE 

This Administrative Notice (AN) provides guidance to staff in the Rural 

Development (RD) National Office and State Offices regarding the implementation 

of the 2020 Census data for the use in the administration of direct loan, loan 

guarantee and grant programs across RD. The intended outcome is to instruct and 

inform staff on the transition to new data sources to allow for an orderly and 

consistent implementation across RD programs and to facilitate outreach that will 

provide current and potential applicants sufficient notice. 

COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS AN: 

This guidance supersedes RD AN No. 4886 (1940-L and RUS Staff Instructions 

1780-2 and 1780-5) dated February 4, 2022 and any previous guidance on 

implementation of population or income data from the census. 

EXPIRATION DATE: FILING INSTRUCTIONS: 

September 30, 2023 Preceding RD Instruction 1940-L 

and RUS Staff Instructions 1780-2, 

1780-5) 

An Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer and Lender. 

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at 

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing 

all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 

Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov. 
Implementation of 2020 Census Data for 

Rural Development Programs 

2

IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBILITIES: 

In 2020, the United States Census Bureau conducted its decennial census and an updated 

American Community Survey 5-year (ACS) for 2016-2020. Decennial Census and ACS data on 

population and income are currently used by RD program areas for a variety of purposes, 

including: eligibility determinations, prioritization, and allocations. Census has not fully released 

the 2020 decennial data needed for RD program areas to implement the transition from 2010 to 

2020 data. 

Implementation requires the use of two Census data sets: 2020 decennial data for the population 

data and 5-year ACS (2016-2020) income and poverty data to calculate State Non-metro Median 

Household Income (SNMHI). Data from both sets are used in allocation formulas. 

Census has not released all the data elements needed by programs to fully update eligibility and 

formula allocations. As such, Rural Development will transition to the update Decennial 

Census and SNHMI using 5-year ACS (2016-2020) starting October 1, 2023.

Population Data 

All RD programs will continue using 2010 Decennial Census population data until Census 

provides a full release of the 2020 decennial data. Further guidance will be provided when 

adoption of 2020 decennial can commence. Until that time, and unless specifically directed 

otherwise, programs are instructed to use the population data from the 2010 Decennial Census 

for program purposes. The data can be found at Census Data Hub. 

Income and Poverty Data 

The Agency has determined that the 5-year ACS estimate is the most appropriate data set for RD 

program to use for income and poverty data as it encompasses data from across the country and 

is updated within a shorter time period than the income data previously obtained from the 

decennial census and collected every 10 years. Median Household Income (MHI) must be based 

on the data set developed for RD by ACS for the period 2006-2010. 

State Non-metro Median Household Income 

Programs are instructed to use the SNMHI by state from 2006- 2010 5-year ACS for program 

purposes. The data can be found at Census Data Hub. 

OUTREACH TO CURRENT AND POTENTIAL APPLICANTS: 

State and National Office personnel should communicate to current potential applicants, as well 

as other stakeholders, on the continued use of 2010 Census and its potential impact on eligibility 

for RD program assistance. 
Implementation of 2020 Census Data for 

Rural Development Programs 

3

SUMMARY: 

All RD programs will continue using 2010 Decennial Census population data and SNMHI using 

5-year ACS (2006-2010). The transition to the new decennial data and updated 5-year ACS 

(2016-2020) is planned for FY 2024, October 1, 2023. Additional guidance will be provided 

closer to FY 2024. 

State Offices having questions on the use of 2020 Census data should contact the applicable 

program personnel in the National Office as listed below: 

Agency Program Contact Phone No. Email Address 

RBCS Business Programs Mark Brodziski 202-205-0903 mark.brodziski@usda.gov

RHS Community Programs Joseph 

Ben Israel 

202-720-1505 Joseph.benisrael@usda.gov

RHS Multi-Family Housing Jennifer Larson 

Elena Herl 

202-720-1615 

202-720-7923 

jennifer.larson@usda.gov 

elena.herl@usda.gov

RHS Single Family Housing 

‐ Direct 

‐ Guaranteed 

Scott Nista 

Dean Daetwyler 

804-287-1532 

202-690-0514 

scott.nista@usda.gov 

dean.daetwyler@usda.gov

RUS Water and Environmental 

Programs 

Scott Barringer 202-720-9643 scott.barringer@usda.gov

RUS Electric Programs Jim Elliott 202-720-9546 jim.elliott@usda.gov

RUS Telecommunications 

Programs 

Ken Kuchno 202-720-9424 kenneth.kuchno@usda.gov

Sent by Electronic Mail on at by the RD Innovation Center. 

The State Director should advise other personnel as appropriate.