The Massachusetts Senate Committee on the Census convened on June 16, 2025, to discuss critical aspects of census work in Boston and the state. The meeting highlighted the collaboration between local and federal entities in ensuring accurate population counts, particularly in light of past undercounts.

A key speaker, who has been involved in census work for nearly 21 years, detailed the relationship with the U.S. Census Bureau and the state government. The speaker emphasized that their work is primarily focused on creating and maintaining the master list of residents, which is essential for the census process. They noted that while they collaborate closely with the federal government, their efforts are heavily concentrated on local neighborhoods in Boston.

The discussion also touched on the formation of a Complete Count Committee in Boston, which aims to encourage residents to participate in the census. This committee works in tandem with the state’s Complete Count Committee, although the local focus remains paramount. The speaker mentioned that the committee engages with community leaders and organizations to promote census participation effectively.

Funding for these initiatives was also addressed, with the speaker indicating that while some support may have come from state resources, much of the funding was derived from the city budget.

A significant concern raised during the meeting was the undercount of approximately 25,000 residents in Boston during the last census. The speaker clarified that a portion of this undercount, around 6,000 to 7,000 individuals, resided in group quarters, highlighting the challenges faced in accurately counting specific populations.

The meeting underscored the importance of local efforts in census work and the ongoing need for collaboration between city and state entities to ensure every resident is counted accurately in future censuses.