**GAO-08-554**                      Published: Jun 16, 2008. Publicly Released: Jul 16, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

The 2010 Census will be the most expensive census in our nation's history, even after adjusting for inflation. The Census Bureau (Bureau) estimates that the life cycle cost of the 2010 Census will be from $13.7 billion to $14.5 billion. GAO was asked to (1) assess the extent to which the Bureau's 2010 Census life cycle cost estimate adheres to characteristics defined for high-quality cost estimation, (2) report on the relationship between the estimate and the Bureau's budget, and (3) assess whether the Bureau's existing policies and resources are sufficient to conduct cost estimation. To assess the reliability of the Bureau's cost estimate, GAO analyzed the Bureau's methods and approaches to determine if the estimate is well-documented, comprehensive, accurate, and credible.

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## Topics

Government Operations

Budget updatesCensusCost accountingCost analysisCost overrunsCost-based budgetingData collectionData integrityDocumentationFuture budget projectionsHuman capitalInformation managementLife cycle costsRisk assessmentSkilled laborStrategic planningCost estimatesCost growthPolicies and procedures