2020 Census Count Question Resolution Program

2020CQR_ParticipantGuide_GUPS

2020 Census Count Question Resolution Program

OMB: 0607-0879

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2020 Census Count Resolution Operation (CQR)
Participant Guide
Instructions for Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) 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 (GUPS)

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

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

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

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

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

Getting Help and Using this Guide.................................................................................. xii

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 ................................................................................................................ 15
1.4.2 Parent Maps .............................................................................................................. 16
1.4.3 Inset Maps ................................................................................................................. 17
Chapter 2 Reviewing the 2020 Census Results.................................................................... 19
2.1

Using CQR Block Count List Files with 2021 Partnership Shapefiles ............................. 19

2.2

Using CQR Block Count List Files with 2020 Census Block Maps................................... 21

Part 2

Introduction to GUPS......................................................................................... 23

Chapter 3 Downloading and Installing GUPS ...................................................................... 24
Chapter 4 Opening GUPS and Starting a CQR Project ......................................................... 30
4.1

GUPS Menus and Toolbars ............................................................................................ 37

4.1.1 CQR Toolbar .............................................................................................................. 38
Part 3

Creating a CQR Project ...................................................................................... 46

Chapter 5 Preparing a CQR Case ........................................................................................ 47
5.1

Preparing a Boundary Case ............................................................................................ 47

5.1.1 Correcting a Boundary .............................................................................................. 47
5.1.2 Updating the User Address List ................................................................................. 63
5.1.2.1 Acceptable Address Types ..............................................................................................................63

5.1.3 Editing, Copying, and Deleting Records in the User Address List ............................. 73
5.1.4 Executing Validation Checks...................................................................................... 78
5.2

Preparing a Housing Count Case.................................................................................... 89

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

5.2.1 Correcting the Housing Counts ................................................................................. 89
Part 4

Submitting a CQR Case ...................................................................................... 93

Chapter 6 Exporting a CQR Project..................................................................................... 94
Chapter 7 Using the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM) ............................................... 97
Chapter 8 Next Steps for 2020 Census CQR ........................................................................ 99
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

Start a CQR Project Using My Computer ....................................................... C-1

Appendix D

Troubleshooting GUPS Installation ............................................................... D-1

Appendix E

Additional GUPS Functionality ...................................................................... E-1

Menu Bar ...................................................................................................................... E-1

Table of Contents and TOC Toolbar.............................................................................. E-4

Standard Toolbar .......................................................................................................... E-6

Status Bar ...................................................................................................................... E-8

Appendix F

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

Appendix G

Boundary Verification Materials ................................................................... G-1

Appendix H

Sample Header File Information ................................................................... H-1

Appendix I

Delete (Clean) a CQR Project ......................................................................... I-1

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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: Requirements for using GUPS and SWIM ....................................................................... 24
Table 4: Steps to Download and Install GUPS .............................................................................. 25
Table 5: Steps to Open GUPS and Start a CQR Project using Census Web................................... 30
Table 6: GUPS Main Page Elements and Their Function/Description .......................................... 37
Table 7: CQR Toolbar Buttons and Their Function/Description ................................................... 39
Table 8: Steps to Add, Delete, and Split a Linear Feature ............................................................ 48
Table 9: Steps to Correct a Boundary ........................................................................................... 52
Table 10: Steps to Manually Update the User Address List ......................................................... 65
Table 11: Steps to Import an Address File into the User Address List.......................................... 69
Table 12: Steps to Edit, Copy, and Delete Records in the User Address List ................................ 73
Table 13: Steps to Execute Validation Checks (Boundary Cases Only) ......................................... 78
Table 14: Steps to Correct Housing Counts in the CQR Block Count List ..................................... 90
Table 15: Steps to Export CQR Project for Census........................................................................ 94
Table 16: Steps to Unzip and Stage the 2021 Partnership Shapefiles ......................................... B-1
Table 17: 2021 Partnership Shapefiles Important for 2020 Census CQR .................................... B-8
Table 18: Census Blocks - Current (tabblock) Layer................................................................... B-15
Table 19: Census Tract - Current (curtracts) Layer .................................................................... B-16
Table 20: All Lines (edges) Layer ................................................................................................ B-17
Table 21: Alaska Native Regional Corporations (anrc) Layer ..................................................... B-18
Table 22: American Indian Areas – Legal (aial) Layer ................................................................ B-19
Table 23: American Indian Areas – Statistical (aias) Layer ........................................................ B-20
Table 24: American Indian Tribal Subdivisions - Legal (aitsl) Layer ........................................... B-21
Table 25: American Indian Tribal Subdivisions - Statistical (aitss) Layer ................................... B-22
Table 26: Area Landmarks (arealm) Layer ................................................................................. B-23
Table 27: Census Designated Places (cdp) Layer ....................................................................... B-24
Table 28: Consolidated Cities (concity) Layer ............................................................................ B-25
Table 29: Counties and Equivalent Areas (county) Layer .......................................................... B-26
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Table 30: County Subdivisions - Legal (mcd) Layer .................................................................... B-27
Table 31: Geographic Offsets (offset) Layer .............................................................................. B-28
Table 32: Hawaiian Home Lands (hhl) Layer.............................................................................. B-29
Table 33: Hydrography - Area (water) Layer ............................................................................. B-30
Table 34: Incorporated Places (place) Layer .............................................................................. B-31
Table 35: Point Landmarks (pointlm) Layer ............................................................................... B-32
Table 36: Roads (roads) Layer .................................................................................................... B-32
Table 37: States and Equivalent Areas (state) Layer ................................................................. B-33
Table 38: Subbarrios (submcd) Layer ........................................................................................ B-33
Table 39: Address Ranges (addr) Relationship Table ................................................................ B-34
Table 40: Steps to Open GUPS and Start a CQR Project Using My Computer............................. C-1
Table 41: Steps to Troubleshoot GUPS Installation .....................................................................D-2
Table 42: Menu Bar Tabs and Their Function/Description .......................................................... E-1
Table 43: Table of Contents Toolbar Buttons and Their Function/Description .......................... E-4
Table 44: Standard Toolbar Buttons and Their Function/Description ........................................ E-6
Table 45: Status Bar Elements and Their Function/Description .................................................. E-8
Table 46: Details Regarding the Sample Header File ...................................................................H-1
Table 47: Steps to Delete (Clean) a CQR Project .......................................................................... I-1

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Example of the Address Count Listing Files Viewer with a Block Selected ..................... 9
Figure 2: Map Categories on the 2020 Census - Census Block Maps Website ............................. 13
Figure 3: Example of a Block-to-Map-Sheet Relationship File in Notepad................................... 15
Figure 4: Example of a Large Format Index Map .......................................................................... 15
Figure 5: Example of a Large Format Parent Map ........................................................................ 16
Figure 6: Example of a Large Format Parent Map (Zoomed View) .............................................. 17
Figure 7: Example of a Large Format Inset Map ........................................................................... 18
Figure 8: Example of a Large Format Map Margin ....................................................................... 18
Figure 9: GUPS Main Page Elements and Default Layout ............................................................. 37
Figure 10: CQR Toolbar ................................................................................................................. 38
Figure 11: Example of a Census Block-based Work Map Index Sheet......................................... A-3
Figure 12: Example of a Census Block-based Work Map Parent Sheet ....................................... A-3
Figure 13: Example of a Census Block-based Work Map Legend ................................................ A-4
Figure 14: Default Map Management Window ...........................................................................D-1
Figure 15: QGIS without a Map Management Window ..............................................................D-1
Figure 16: Menu Bar .................................................................................................................... E-1
Figure 17: Table of Contents Toolbar .......................................................................................... E-4
Figure 18: Table of Contents with Layer Checkmarks and Arrows .............................................. E-5
Figure 19: Standard Toolbar ........................................................................................................ E-6
Figure 20: Sub-Toolbar Markers .................................................................................................. E-6
Figure 21: Status Bar .................................................................................................................... E-8

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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 GU’s submission
can include both case types.
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
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

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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 indicating the portion of the boundary that the Census Bureau potentially depicted
incorrectly, as well as depicting the corrected boundary. For GUPS participants, the map is
generated by the software.
o GUs must follow the boundary correction guidance as detailed in the Boundary and
Annexation Survey (BAS) Respondent Guide that applies to their GU type. Non-tribal GUs
use “2021 BAS Guide – GUPS” while tribal GUs use “2021 BAS Guide – Tribal GUPS.” Both
guides are available for download from the CQR website. Additional guides available on the
website for GUs that are not using GUPS to prepare their CQR case.

•

A list of residential addresses in the 2020 tabulation blocks affected by the incorrect boundary,
indicating their correct coordinates or location in relation to the boundary. For GUPS
participants, this list is known as the User Address List and is prepared in the software following
specific rules and guidelines for acceptable addresses.

•

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. Learn more about the Boundary and Annexation Survey
on 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).
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.

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 (GUPS)

Housing count cases must include:
•

A 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. For GUPS participants, this list preloads into the software and follows the format
of 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. Use the bullets below as a
checklist when preparing the supporting documentation for your GU’s 2020 Census CQR case
submission. GUPS is programmed to allow GUs to upload their supporting documentation to
accompany their case.
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.
 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.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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.

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.
Note:

If errors or unexpected results occur within GUPS, close the application to reset the
software and try to reopen it prior to contacting the Census Bureau.

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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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. Readers can navigate the
guide’s 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, while
Part 2 introduces GUPS. Part 3 explores creating a CQR case. Part 4 provides instructions for
submitting the case to the Census Bureau. Lastly, the appendices provide important,
supplemental information.
IMPORTANT: GUPS, the CQR website, and other tools/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 overviews 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 (GUPS)

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

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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 will include total group quarters
population by the major group quarters types. 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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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.

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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.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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. 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 Block-based 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. Details on digital and paper participation are
included in a separate participant guide that explains the use of these materials in preparing a
case as well as reviewing the 2020 Census results.
Note:

The tools and materials described in this chapter are meant to be used independently
from GUPS. GUs do not have to install GUPS to conduct a detailed review of their 2020
Census results. GUs would only need to proceed with GUPS installation and case
preparation if they discovered discrepancies in their boundaries or housing counts
that they want to report to the Census Bureau for research.

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).

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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.

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 count differs from the count the GU anticipated, this material becomes a key
component of their CQR case. Instructions on preparing a case using this file are detailed in
section 5.2.
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
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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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).
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.

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.

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Field
Name

Field Description

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Required (Yes or No or
Recommended)

Field
Number

Max
Characters

Field
Name
CQRGQ

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

Required (Yes or No or
Recommended)
Yes, if housing count discrepancy
exists for CENSUSGQ; otherwise
leave blank.

When using this file outside of GUPS to review the 2020 Census results, ensure all fields remain
as Text to preserve the formatting of fields (e.g., STATEFP, COUNTYFP, TRACT, and BLOCK) that
may contain leading or trailing zeros. When using this file in GUPS the fields within this file
remain in Text format.

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.
IMPORTANT: Regardless of the year (e.g., 2022 or 2023) 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.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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. If a GU wants to file a CQR case, these shapefiles load into GUPS and form the
spatial base of the GU’s CQR project.
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 to review their legal
boundary and locate their 2020 tabulation blocks to review in combination with the CQR Block
Count List Files to determine if filing a case is necessary.
IMPORTANT: For GU’s that plan to use GUPS, these materials are used solely to conduct their
detailed review of the 2020 Census results, not to prepare their case. GUPS
would handle the boundary correction since the mapping component is
integrated into the software. Housing count cases do not require map updates.
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 2). GUs locate their maps by
selecting the appropriate category for their GU. Continue navigating the subsequent screens
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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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 2: Map Categories on the 2020 Census - Census Block Maps Website

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).

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

•

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
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 3 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.

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Figure 3: Example of a Block-to-Map-Sheet Relationship File in Notepad

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 4 for an example.

Figure 4: Example of a Large Format Index Map
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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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 5 for an example and Figure
6 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).

Figure 5: Example of a Large Format Parent Map

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Figure 6: Example of a Large Format Parent Map (Zoomed View)

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 7 for an example and Figure 8 for a visual of the lower
right margin of the map that identifies the map type and other important information.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Figure 7: Example of a Large Format Inset Map

Figure 8: Example of a Large Format Map Margin

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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 16 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.

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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 GUs 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 your GU’s CQR Block Count List File(s) to create a new field, i.e., GEOID
(15-digits). Save the file.
a. IMPORTANT: GUPS requires the original CQR Block Count List File, so keep a copy of the
original file without the concatenated GEOID field in case the GU decides to prepare a case.
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 on the discrepancies (boundary and/or housing count) to prepare a case.
a. IMPORTANT: If a GU decides to prepare a case, the Census Bureau recommends the use of
the Census Web option (described in Table 5) to simplify the CQR project creation using
GUPS; however, the shapefiles and CQR Block Count List File downloaded from the CQR
website (or received on DVD and saved locally) can be loaded into GUPS using the My
Computer option (described in Table 40).
10. Proceed to Part 2 for an introduction to GUPS.
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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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 to their local directory.
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.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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 in the CQR Block Count List File(s) for your GU.
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 on the discrepancies (boundary and/or housing count) to use GUPS to
prepare a case.
a. IMPORTANT: If a GU decides to prepare a case, the Census Bureau recommends the use of
the Census Web option (described in Table 5) to simplify the CQR project creation using
GUPS. The 2021 Partnership shapefiles automatically load into GUPS instead of the 2020
Census Block Maps used to conduct the review. If the GU cannot use the Census Web
option, contact the Census Bureau by email at
or by phone at (888) 369-3617 for assistance.
10. Proceed to Part 2 for an introduction to GUPS.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

PART 2

INTRODUCTION TO GUPS

Once your GU determines a CQR case is necessary and wants to participate using the
Geographic Update Partnership Software, or GUPS, rather than digitally or with paper
materials, use the guidance in this part of the guide to download, install, and open GUPS to
start a CQR project. This part of the guide also includes information on the main software
menus and toolbars used when creating a CQR project.
GUPS is a user-friendly, self-contained, customized GIS software tool provided to GUs by the
Census Bureau for use in completing many of their geographic programs and operations. Each
geographic program supported by GUPS includes a unique set of tools built to run within the
QGIS environment.
For 2020 Census CQR, GUPS is programmed to provide built-in access to the TIGER partnership
shapefiles used for CQR through a “Census Web” option. It includes a review tool requiring the
validation of the data to the program criteria before creating a final 2020 CQR case .zip file and
allows GU’s to add external geospatial data (e.g., shapefiles, geodatabases, and imagery) and
tabular data (e.g., text files in the .txt or .csv format) for comparison and update purposes.
GUPS ensures the case is valid and allows for easier processing once received by the Census
Bureau. While it does not require an internet connection to function, an internet connection is
necessary to use the recommended “Census Web” option and the built-in imagery server.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

CHAPTER 3

DOWNLOADING AND INSTALLING GUPS

GUs with previous versions of GUPS installed for use with other Census Bureau programs must
install the new version of GUPS for 2020 Census CQR. This chapter includes the hardware and
operating system requirements necessary to use GUPS, instructions for downloading and
installing the software, and the basics of opening GUPS and starting a new CQR project.
Many agencies/organizations require certain security privileges to download and install
external software. Work with your local Information Technology (IT) staff person to acquire
those privileges or ask they assist with GUPS installation. Please note that GUPS users with
different security privileges other than the IT staff person that installed the software may
encounter problems accessing the directories and plugins needed to operate GUPS. This usually
occurs when the software is not installed under the user’s profile. To correct this, have the IT
staff person reinstall GUPS under the user’s profile using the user’s credentials. If installation
problems remain, contact the Census Bureau by phone at (888) 369-3617 or by email at
for installation assistance.
IMPORTANT: While each GU will have a primary point of contact for submitting the CQR case
to the Census Bureau, everyone that intends to help with preparing the GU’s
case must download, install, and use GUPS to share work.
See Table 3 for the requirements necessary to download and install GUPS, as well as the
internet browser version to use the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM).
Table 3: Requirements for using GUPS and SWIM
Hardware
Disk Space Required to Run
GUPS :
4 GB (very important!)
Disk Space Needed to Store
Shapefiles:
Shapefile sizes vary. To view
the size of the shapefiles, use
the mouse to select a
file/folder, right-click, and
choose Properties. The Files
Properties box opens and
displays the file/folder sizes.
Select multiple files/folders
in the list to view their
properties using the same
method.
RAM:
4 GB minimum; 8 GB or more
recommended for optimal
performance.
U.S. Census Bureau

Operating System
Windows®:
To run GUPS, Windows users need one of the
following operating systems:
• Windows 8®
• Windows 10®
Apple®:
Mac OS X users must secure a license for
Microsoft Windows and use a Windows
bridge. The suggested bridge software is Boot
Camp®, which comes pre-installed on all Mac
computers. Locate instructions for Boot Camp
at:

Supported Browser
SWIM runs on the two most
recent versions of each of
these major internet
browsers:
• Microsoft Internet
Explorer®
• Microsoft Edge®
• Google Chrome®
• Mozilla Firefox®
• Apple Safari®

IMPORTANT: Since Boot Camp requires a
restart of the computer to set up the bridge,
be sure to print the instructions from URL
above before beginning installation.

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Note:

The dialog boxes in GUPS may vary based on operating system. Screenshots in this
guide were created using Windows 10. As a result the screenshots in this guide that
feature GUPS actions may differ slightly from what a participant using Windows 8 or
Boot Camp.

Follow the steps outlined below in Table 4 to download GUPS from the CQR website and install
it locally.
Table 4: Steps to Download and Install GUPS
Step

Action and Result(s)

Step 1

Navigate to the CQR website and scroll to the Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS)
section.

Step 2

Choose the Download GUPS link. Select Save As rather than Save to navigate to a local directory
(e.g., CQR) to download and save the gups.zip file.

Step 3

Navigate to the local directory where the downloaded gups.zip file resides and unzip the file to
extract the contents. When complete, use the mouse to double-click the SETUP-.bat
file to start installation. Regardless of the version number of the file, there will be only one
SETUP .bat file to choose.
For those who received a DVD of GUPS, load the installation DVD into the computer’s DVD drive.
If software installation does not run automatically, open Windows Explorer, navigate to the DVD
drive, use the mouse to double-click the setup file (e.g., SETUP-.bat). Proceed with the
remaining steps in this table to complete installation.
The Welcome to QGIS screen appears that allows a participant to import their previous settings
from QGIS 2 or starting clean.

Step 4

Choose the option for a “clean start” and select Let’s get started to proceed. If a new version of
GUPS that uses QGIS 3 is already installed for use with other census programs, this window may
not appear.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
When the installer opens, the Welcome to the QGIS 3.4.4 ‘Madeira’ Setup Wizard screen
appears.

Step 5

Before proceeding with installation, close all other programs or applications. Once other
programs and applications are closed, choose the Next button.
The version needed for 2020 Census CQR is QGIS 3.4.4 Madeira. If the exact same version of
QGIS exists on the computer, an instruction to uninstall and reinstall may appear. Participants
may retain other versions of QGIS that may be in use for other programs, but the Census Bureau
suggests reinstalling if the same version exists on the computer to ensure installation of the
latest update

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
The License Agreement screen appears.

Step 6

Read the License Agreement and choose the I Agree button to continue.
The Choose Install Location screen opens. For performance and stability, the Census Bureau
recommends installation to the default directory (e.g., C:\QGIS344) even though the Browse
button allows for changing of the installation directory.

Step 7

Choose the Next button to continue with installation.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
The Choose Components screen opens. The ‘QGIS’ in the Select components to install section
is checked and grayed out since it is the default.

Step 8

Choose the Install button to continue.
To review a previous screen or reread the license agreement, choose the or by phone at (888) 369-3617.
Project load times vary based upon the size of the working county’s CQR Block Count List (i.e., the
number of blocks). After the data loads into GUPS, the Table of Contents populates and symbolizes
according to preset styles. The Map View fills with the working county. The Menu Bar, Standard
Toolbar, and CQR Toolbar appear along the top and the Status Bar appears at the bottom of the
screen. The CQR Block Count List opens by default. The counts shown in the screenshot for Anne
Arundel County (24003) are fictional and used for illustrative purposes only.

Step 7

Note: The QGIS 3.4.4 Madeira and CQR display at the very top left of the application window, along
with the entity coding for the GU. This code differs from the Entity ID that appears in other materials
and is only used in GUPS as it creates, saves, and exports the project. This information helps a
participant confirm use of the newer QGIS version and selection of the correct GU and program.
The Census Bureau requests no changes to the default projection and recommends no changes be
made to the default layer symbology once the project loads.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
To save a project, use the Save button on the Standard toolbar. Otherwise, edits will be lost.

The Current edits confirmation dialog box appears. Choose the Yes button to save or the No button
to cancel without saving the project.
Step 8

Participants may also use the Save option beneath the Project tab on the Menu bar to save the
project.

To reopen a saved project, expand the menu beneath the Open Recent button from the Map
Management window. The drop-down list provides a list of current projects created using GUPS.

Step 9

Proceed to the next section for an introduction to the GUPS menus and toolbars.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

4.1

GUPS Menus and Toolbars

The GUPS main page elements, shown below in Figure 9 and briefly mentioned in Table 5, are
explained in this section to build familiarity with the software and the default layout.

Figure 9: GUPS Main Page Elements and Default Layout

Refer to Table 6 for high-level information about the elements that comprise the main page
once CQR GUPS is opened. Detailed descriptions and functions of menus, sub-menus, and
toolbars is in Appendix E.
Table 6: GUPS Main Page Elements and Their Function/Description
Page
Element

Function/Description

Menu Bar

Permits access to QGIS and GUPS features using a standard hierarchical menu. Offers basic
features such as Settings and Help; tools to manage the Map View. Almost all functions available
in Menu bar are available in toolbars. Refer to appendix E1 for more details.

Standard
Toolbar

Provides navigation functions and other tools needed to interact with the Map View and layers.
Refer to appendix E3 for more details.

CQR
Toolbar

Provides tools for specific to the 2020 Census CQR as well as some tools from previous Census
Bureau programs. See section 4.1.1 for descriptions of the buttons.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Page
Element

Function/Description

Map View

Displays the default data layers for the working county selected in the Map Management
window. It reflects the colors and symbology of layers in the Table of Contents and is where the
participant performs boundary and spatial updates.

Table of
Contents

Depicts the layers in the Map View. Layers have been pre-styled and arranged for optimal use as
part of the Census Web option. However, layers can be managed by manipulating the visibility
(i.e., check/uncheck the layer) or reorganized using tools from the Table of Contents toolbar that
appears at the top of the Table of Contents. Refer to appendix E2 for more details.

CQR Block
Count List

Displays the housing counts for the working county from the state-level list. It permits
participants to edit the housing counts for blocks shown within the list once selected for editing.
Only two fields, the CQRHU (housing units) and CQRGQ (group quarters) are editable. The
information shown is fictional and for illustrative purposes only. Locate details for this material
in section 5.2.1.

User
Address
List

Displays a blank table for providing individual, residential addresses affected by a boundary
correction. Only required for boundary cases. Not used to supply a complete list of addresses for
the GU. Locate details for this material in section 5.1.2.

Status Bar

Displays information on the coordinates, map scale, magnification, rotation, and projection.
Allows for adjustment of the display. Refer to appendix E4 for more details.

4.1.1

CQR Toolbar

The CQR toolbar, shown in Figure 10, includes buttons specifically for preparing a CQR case.

Figure 10: CQR Toolbar

Table 7 provides a visual for each button and details the function and/or description of each
button.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Table 7: CQR Toolbar Buttons and Their Function/Description
Button

Name

Function/Description

Modify the
Attributes of All
Selected
Features
Simultaneously

Not used for 2020 Census CQR. Remains grayed out until layer
selected and ready to edit. Modifies the attributes of the linear
features.

Undo

Reverts the last change made by a participant. Must make the
layer where the change was made active in the Table of Contents
to activate the button. When active, the button’s backward arrow
symbol is orange in color. Must be used prior to saving the
project.
For example, if a boundary correction to a city was made
inaccurately, the participant would select the “place” layer in the
Table of Contents (since the change was made to the place
boundary) to activate the button and undo the boundary
correction.

U.S. Census Bureau

Redo

Restores the last change made by a participant. Must make the
layer where the change was made active in the Table of Contents
to activate the button. When active, the button’s forward arrow
symbol is green in color. Must be used prior to saving the project.

Add Linear
Feature

Adds a linear feature in the Map View. CQR participants use this
to add a linear feature for boundary corrections, not to add linear
features that are missing from the Map View that do not involve
a boundary correction.

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Button

U.S. Census Bureau

Name

Function/Description

Delete/Restore
Linear Feature

Deletes an added linear feature or restores a linear feature
deleted from the Map View using this button. CQR participants
use this to delete a linear feature added using the Add Linear
Feature button (or to restore a feature that was added and
deleted).

Split Linear
Feature

Rarely, if at all, used for 2020 Census CQR. Splits an already
existing linear feature in the Map View to assist with modifying a
coincident boundary.

Display All
Names

Displays all the names for features in the edges layer in the Map
View once a zoom level below 1:24000 is reached.

Block Count List

Reopens the CQR Block Count List if a participant closed it.

Address List

Reopens the User Address List if a participant closed it.

Modify Linear
Feature
Attributes

Opens the Modify Linear Feature Attributes window to permit
the edit of MTFCC, FULLNAME, and address range fields for a
selected linear feature. May not use this tool often during CQR
unless GU needs to return to a linear feature after its added for
the purpose of a boundary correction.

Modify Area
Feature

Chooses the geography (e.g., County, MCD, Place,
Reservation/Trust Land, or Tribal Subdivision) to make spatial
edits.

Show/Hide
Legend

Shows or hides the legend (e.g., Table of Contents). It may be
helpful to close the legend to make more screen space for the
Map View.

Scale Bar Tool

Permits the selection of units of measure to display in the scale
bar as well as the color of the scale bar to display in the Map
View.

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Button

Name

Function/Description

Geography
Review Tool

Filters a layer based on field values in the attribute table. It
provides access to the attributes of the selected layers. This
button does not allow for changes to the geography. Used to
locate different geographies in the project. For details on this
tool, review section 5.1.4.

IMPORTANT: This validation check is not required for a boundary
case prior to exporting the project for submission.
Review Change
Polygons

Permits a review of the transactions (change polygons) for layers
(Geography) that changed because of a boundary correction. It
contains three quality checks for geographies where boundary
corrections occurred. These checks include: Small Area Check,
Find Holes, and Address Check. For details, on this tool, review
section 5.1.4.

IMPORTANT: This validation check, and its quality checks, are
required for a boundary case prior to exporting the project for
submission.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Button

Name

Function/Description

Address Review
Tool

Performs validation checks of the User Address List to ensure the
address records do not contain errors and meet the required
address specifications. The tool returns a secondary window with
results of the check. For details on this tool, review section 5.1.4.

Note: This tool differs from the Address Check that is run within
the Review Change Polygons validation check. It is particularly
important for participants that import their addresses from an
external source rather than manually adding them since GUPS
would not permit a participant to interactively add an address
record with errors.
IMPORTANT: This validation check is required for a boundary case
prior to exporting the project for submission.
Import County
Zip

Used internally by the Census Bureau while processing cases.
Imports the “DataDictionary” output .zip file produced from the
Export to Zip – Share with Another Participant option mentioned
in the next row of this table. Would only be used by participants
during 2020 Census CQR if they used the Export to Zip – Share
with Another Participant option.
Note: This button will not work if the same project is open. As an
alternative, use the “Import Project ZIP file” button on the Map
Management window prior to opening any project.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Button

Name

Function/Description

Export to Zip

Includes two export options: Export for Census and Share with
Another Participant.

Use the Export for Census option to create the .zip file of the CQR
project that contains all required data for submission to the
Census Bureau.
The Share with Another Participant option is used internally by
the Census Bureau as processing of the case occurs; however,
GU’s may use this option to share work with others in their GU.
Given the current workplace environment because of the COVID19 pandemic, this method of sharing the project permits staff to
review an entire project which may be useful prior to finalizing
the submission for the Census Bureau.
Note: The guide does not include instructions for the Share with
Another Participant option. Contact the Census Bureau by email
at or by phone at
(888) 369-3617 if there are questions surrounding its
use/functionality.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Button

U.S. Census Bureau

Name

Function/Description

Print Map to
File

Exports a printable map in *.pdf, *.png, *.tiff, or *.jpeg format.
This tool allows users to assign a map title and sub-title and to set
the page orientation, scale, and page size.

Internet Map
Service

Opens a GIS map service from the internet (i.e., Google Maps or
Bing Maps) after selecting a point in the Map View. The intent of
this tool is to provide visual assistance from an external source.
An internet connection is required for this button to function.

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Button

Name

Function/Description

TIGERweb Map
Service

Permits loading of census spatial data from Census Bureau’s
TIGERweb Map Service (WMS). The selected data layers load into
the Table of Contents of the project. To remove the loaded
layers, relaunch the button and uncheck the selected layers.

Note: These layers appear in the CQR project as part of the GUPS
project creation process; therefore, loading layers from
TIGERweb is needed only to compare different vintages of spatial
data that MAY exist between the data loaded in the project
versus the data available in TIGERweb.
Add Imagery /
Remove
Imagery

Adds imagery to the CQR project. The imagery loads near the
bottom of the Table of Contents, so it underlies other layers. The
button includes three imagery options: Add Esri Imagery, Add
USGS Imagery, or Add Census Imagery.
Remove imagery by using the same button. It will change to
include a red negative symbol. Or participants can remove
imagery by using the mouse to right-click on the imagery layer in
the Table of Contents.
IMPORTANT: The Census Bureau recommends turning off or
removing the imagery prior to saving the CQR project.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

PART 3

CREATING A CQR PROJECT

This part of the guide contains the details and instructions for creating a CQR project. The
information in this part of the guide serves as the main resource available for participants to
understand use of GUPS to prepare the GU’s case. The content details all the steps necessary to
prepare both case types, boundary and housing count.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

CHAPTER 5

PREPARING A CQR CASE

The type of discrepancy(s) uncovered while reviewing the 2020 Census results dictates the
sections to review within this chapter. Navigate the sections as appropriate for the GU’s
situation (i.e., section 5.1 for boundary case and section 5.2 for housing count case). If a GU has
both boundary and housing count discrepancies, review both sections.

5.1

Preparing a Boundary Case

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

A map showing both the incorrect and correct boundaries.

•

A list of individual, residential addresses affected by the boundary correction with
latitude/longitude coordinate information for each record.
o Do not create complete address list for the GU. Only addresses affected by the boundary
correction are required for submission and review during CQR.

•

Supporting documentation, as detailed in section D.

For GUPS participants, the map and the list of individual, residential addresses, (i.e., the User
Address List) are generated by GUPS following specific rules and guidelines. GUPS also permits
GUs to upload their supporting documentation and associates it with the case prior to
submission. Review the sections below for the steps to prepare a boundary case. For additional
reference and support related to boundary corrections not detailed in the sections below, refer
to the appropriate Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) Respondent Guides (i.e., GUPS or
Tribal GUPS) available from the CQR website. Though participants use the BAS guides for
boundary correction reference, they must use the case preparation and submission instructions
from this material.
Note:

5.1.1

The Census Bureau will generate boundary verification materials for GUs that submit a
boundary case to verify the boundary correction(s). Details about these materials are
included in Appendix G.

Correcting a Boundary

This section discusses how to correct a discrepant boundary using the various tools in GUPS. If
linear feature updates are needed to correct a discrepant boundary, refer to Table 8 for
instructions for adding, deleting, and splitting a linear feature. For boundary corrections that
involve adding or removing existing areas where it is unnecessary to add, delete, or split a linear
feature, skip to Table 9. For more details on the buttons/tools used in the two tables below
refer to Table 7 and Appendix E.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Table 8: Steps to Add, Delete, and Split a Linear Feature
Step

Action and Result(s)
With the CQR project open, use the Add Linear Feature, Delete/Restore Linear Feature, or Split
Linear Feature buttons as needed prior to using the Modify Area Feature button to correct a
boundary. These four buttons are denoted on the CQR toolbar visual below in red and blue.

Step 1

The scope of CQR includes correcting discrepancies with boundaries and housing counts. Do not
complete linear feature updates (adds, deletes, or splits) that are not affected by a boundary
correction that involves housing counts.
Before adding a linear feature to be used as the new boundary of the GU, the Census Bureau
recommends enabling imagery for visual reference. In GUPS, choose the Add Imagery button
from the CQR toolbar.
Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
To add a linear feature choose the Add Linear Feature, button from the CQR toolbar. Zoom in
close enough to see where to start.

The mouse cursor that appears in the Map View changes to a round, pink symbol (not captured in
the image below). Use the left button of the mouse to create a start point to begin digitizing the
linear feature in the Map View and continue using the mouse’s left button to insert vertexes to
shape the linear feature. Once the end of the linear feature is reached, use the right-button of
the mouse to stop digitizing and create an end point. The Add Linear Feature window appears to
assign attributes to the newly added linear feature.

Step 3

In the Add Linear Feature window, select an MTFCC from the drop-down menu (refer to
Appendix F for information on the various MTFCC definitions/choices) and provide a Prefix,
Name, and Suffix if applicable. This example inserted a non-visible legal boundary, so no name
attribution is needed. Select OK to proceed or Cancel to return to the Map View. The addition of
this linear feature creates an area that can now be included as part of a boundary correction.

Step 4

Save the project by using the Save icon from the Standard toolbar.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Proceed to Table 9 if this action concludes linear feature work in the CQR project or repeat this
action to add other linear features in the working county. The area modified in Table 9 differs
from the area shown above, but the process is the same.

Step 5

To delete a linear feature that serves as a legal boundary, choose the Delete/Restore Linear
Feature button from the CQR toolbar.

Use the mouse to select the linear feature from the Map View. A Delete/Restore Linear Feature
confirmation window appears. Choose OK to mark the feature for deletion or Cancel to deselect
the feature and return to the Map View.

Step 6

Note: GUPS permits for the selection of multiple linear features to delete. Press and hold the Ctrl
key on the keyboard while selecting the features to delete or drag the cursor over multiple
features to select them for deletion.
Because the linear feature is an existing legal boundary, the selection of OK opens a secondary
Delete/Restore Linear Feature confirmation window with information about the linear feature
chosen for deletion.

Step 7

Select OK to proceed with marking the linear feature for deletion or Cancel to cancel the delete
action and return to the Map View.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
The linear feature marked for deletion appears in the Map View marked with black X’s.

Step 8

To restore the linear feature prior to saving the CQR project, select the Delete/Restore Linear
Feature button again, then select the feature marked for deletion. A Delete/Restore Linear
Feature confirmation window appears with a question to restore the linear feature.

Step 9

Select OK to restore the linear feature or Cancel to return to the Map View and keep the linear
feature flagged for deletion. Save the project by using the Save icon from the Standard toolbar.
Proceed to Table 9 if this action concludes linear feature work in the CQR project or repeat this
action to delete other linear features in the working county. The area modified in Table 9 differs
from the area shown above, but the process is the same.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Step 10

Step 11

Action and Result(s)
To split a linear feature that serves as a legal boundary, choose the Split Linear Feature button
from the CQR toolbar. Splitting a linear feature creates a node from which the linear feature can
be manipulated. This tool is not used/rarely used in 2020 Census CQR. Contact the Census
Bureau if the GU believes a linear feature needs to be split.

Save the project using the Save icon from the Standard toolbar or from beneath the Project
menu.

With the linear feature update(s) complete, proceed to the next table for the steps to correct a
boundary. Please also recall from the introductory paragraph in this section that boundary
corrections can occur on existing areas without making linear feature updates or corrections.
Follow the instructions in Table 9 to correct a boundary.
Table 9: Steps to Correct a Boundary
Step
Step 1

Action and Result(s)
With the CQR project open, select the Modify Area Feature button from the CQR toolbar.

The Modify Area Feature window opens.

Step 2

Choose the type of geography from the Geography drop-down menu. This is the type of GU in
which the boundary correction is being made. Select the GU from the list that appears in the Info
section of the window. This example is using Place.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Choose a Select Feature(s) tool from the drop-down window. Participants may choose one of four
methods for selecting the polygon or polygons (i.e. face/faces) to add or delete from the GU.

Step 3

Note: Press and hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard while selecting more than one area to add or
delete from the GU or drag the cursor over multiple areas.
To add area to a GU to correct the boundary, select face/faces and then select the Add Area button
from the Modify Area Feature window. The selected area(s) display with a color in the Map View.

Step 4a

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
If a participant selects an ineligible face, such as one that is already included in the GU, a pop-up
window appears indicating that no eligible faces were selected.

If a participant wants to deselect a face(s), choose the Deselect Features from All Layers button on
the Standard toolbar.

IMPORTANT: This deselection action is very important to conduct prior to proceeding with making a
boundary correction that includes an inaccurately selected face(s). Once selected for a boundary
correction, GUPS flags the face(s) for change. The participant would be required to use the Undo
action to unflag the incorrect face(s). Find instructions on the Undo action in Step 6.
To delete area from a GU to correct the boundary, select face/faces and then select the Remove
Area button from the Modify Area Feature window. The selected area(s) display with a color in the
Map View.

Step 4b

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Both adding or removing area results in the appearance of a secondary Modify Area Feature
window that asks to choose a change type.

Step 5

Detailed definitions of the four change types are included in the BAS Guides, but use the following
as a summarization of each.

Step 5a

U.S. Census Bureau

•

Use the Boundary Correction option for minor discrepancies in the boundary that do not
involve a legal change. These involve existing boundaries that are digitized incorrectly and
do not modify the overall shape of the geographic area.

•

Use the Legal Change option for all boundary modifications involving a legal change such
as an annexation or deannexation.

•

Use the Offset option to identify an area claimed by a GU that is only on one side of a
street and does not include structure addressed to that side of the street.

•

Use the Corridor option to identify an area that includes only the road right-of-way and
does not contain any structures addressed to either side of the street.

Choosing Boundary Correction and selecting OK flags the selected face/faces for adding to or
removing from the GU. No additional windows appear for confirmation or action by the participant.
The face/faces are added to the “changes” layer for the specific GU type (incplace, cousub, county,
or aial) and are symbolized based on preset values in the Table of Contents.

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Expand the “changes” layer(s) for the entity type with the boundary corrections in the Table of
Contents to view the color scheme used for the various change types.

A = Annexation, B_IN = Boundary correction that moved area(s) into a GU, B_OUT = Boundary
correction that moved an area(s) out of a GU, C = Corridor, D = Deannexation, E = New
Incorporation, F = Offset, G = Change Name (point features), X = Disincorporation.

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Step

Action and Result(s)
Choosing Legal Change opens the Create Change Polygons window.

Step 5b

Complete the required fields for effective date (EFF_DATE), authorization type (AUTHTYPE),
supporting documentation (DOCU), and change type (CHNG_TYPE).
Select OK to finalize the legal change correction. The face/faces are added to the “changes” layer for
the specific GU type (incplace, cousub, county, or aial) and are symbolized based on preset values in
the Table of Contents as shown in the informational row above this step.
Skip to Step 6 for instructions on cancelling the correction.
Note: Supporting documentation added here is not added again during the export process for the
CQR project. The process of adding additional, non-boundary related supporting documentation is
covered in Chapter 6. Refer to section D for specific details on the required supporting
documentation.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Choosing Offset opens a secondary confirmation window. Before GUPS processes an offset
correction, the participant must answer Yes in the secondary confirmation window. An answer of
No returns the participant to the Modify Area Feature window to select another change type.

With a selection of Yes, the secondary Modify Area Feature window reappears with Offset selected.
Step 5c

Choose OK to proceed.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
A Review Change Polygon window appears with a question about whether the correction is a legal
change.

Selection of No flags the face/faces as an Offset. No additional windows appear. No additional
action is needed to make the offset correction. The face/faces are added to the “changes” layer for
the specific GU type (incplace, cousub, county, or aial) and are symbolized based on preset values in
the Table of Contents as show in the information step above. If the correction is errant, skip to Step
6 for instructions to undo the offset correction.
Selection of Yes opens the Create Change Polygons window with the CHNG_TYPE prefilled, but with
three other required fields to complete: Effective Date (EFF_DATE), Authorization Type (AUTHTYPE),
and Supporting Documentation (DOCU).

Step 5d

Complete the three fields and select OK to finalize the correction. The face/faces are added to the
“changes” layer for the specific GU type (incplace, cousub, county, or aial) and are symbolized based
on preset values in the Table of Contents as shown in the informational step above.
Skip to Step 6 for instructions on cancelling the correction.
Note: Supporting documentation added here is not added again during the export process for the
CQR project. The process of adding additional, non-boundary related supporting documentation is
covered in Chapter 6. Refer to section D for specific details on the required supporting
documentation.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Choosing Corridor opens a secondary confirmation window. Before GUPS processes a corridor
correction, the participant must answer Yes in the secondary confirmation window. An answer of
No returns the participant to the Modify Area Feature window to select another change type.

With a selection of Yes, the secondary Modify Area Feature window reappears with Corridor
selected.
Step 5e

Choose OK to proceed.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
A Review Change Polygon window appears with a question about whether the correction is a legal
change.

Selection of No flags the face/faces as a Corridor. No additional windows appear. No additional
action is needed to make the offset correction. The face/faces are added to the “changes” layer for
the specific GU type (incplace, cousub, county, or aial) and are symbolized based on preset values in
the Table of Contents as shown in the informational step above. If the correction is errant, skip to
Step 6 for instructions to undo the corridor correction.
Selection of Yes opens the Create Change Polygons window with the CHNG_TYPE prefilled, but with
three other required fields to complete: Effective Date (EFF_DATE), Authorization Type (AUTHTYPE),
and Supporting Documentation (DOCU).

Step 5f

Complete the three fields and select OK to finalize the correction. The face/faces are added to the
“changes” layer for the specific GU type (incplace, cousub, county, or aial) and are symbolized based
on preset values in the Table of Contents as shown in the informational step above.
Note: Supporting documentation added here is not added again during the export process for the
CQR project. The process of adding additional, non-boundary related supporting documentation is
covered in Chapter 6. Refer to section D for specific details on the required supporting
documentation.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Selection of Cancel opens a Modify Area Feature warning window.

Step 6

Select OK to close the window.
Undo actions must be performed prior to saving the project. Take no other action in the project.
Ensuring no other actions are taken will allow participants to successfully undo an errant correction
and/or redo a correction that should not have been undone.
Participants may encounter additional GUPS messages with information about the availability of
Undo/Redo functionality and with instructions regarding the order that Undo/Redo actions can
occur.

To undo a boundary correction (shown in green in the Map View and denoted by the red arrow in
the image below), select the GU’s layer in the Table of Contents. The selection of the “places” layer
activates the Undo button in the CQR toolbar.

Step 7

For this example, it is the “places” layer because the boundary correction was for an incorporated
place.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Select the Undo button from the CQR toolbar. Allow time for the undo action to execute. The Map
View updates to remove the face(s) flagged as a correction.

Step 8

Note: The Table of Contents now has the “faces” layer selected because that is the layer in which
the faces are selected when using the Modify Area Feature button, as described at the beginning of
this table.
Repeat the appropriate steps in this table for all proposed area changes in the working county. Save
the project by using the Save icon from the Standard toolbar.

Step 9

Proceed to the next section for instructions on updating the User Address List which is a
requirement for boundary corrections made during 2020 Census CQR.

5.1.2

Updating the User Address List

GUs must provide at least one address within the block(s) affected by a boundary correction to
be considered within scope for 2020 Census CQR. 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 User Address List. Examples of each are
included below in section 5.1.2.1.
Refer to Table 10 for the steps to manually update the User Address List and Table 11 for the
steps to import an address file into the User Address List. GUPS allows participants to use both
methods for updating the User Address List in a CQR project, so review the instructions in both
tables to gain familiarity of each method.
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 .
5.1.2.1 Acceptable Address Types
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
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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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

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

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.

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

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Table 10: Steps to Manually Update the User Address List
Step

Action and Result(s)
With the CQR project open, if the User Address List is not displayed, select the Address List button
from the CQR toolbar or choose the User Address List tab at the bottom of the Map View.

Step 1

The User Address List opens near the bottom of the Map View. The window is undocked and can be
moved.

Step 2

Select the Add button from the User Address List.

Step 3

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
A blank Address Update window opens on the right side of the Map View. It too can be repositioned
on the screen/across screens.

Step 4

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Field requirements, shown with red asterisk, vary based upon the selection made for City Style and
HU/GQ fields. Complete the required fields, then select the Add Map Spot button to add a map spot
for the address. The Clear Map Spot button is used to remove an added map spot.

Step 5

Note: GUPS requires a minimum scale of 1:5000 to add a map spot.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Adding a map spot auto-fills the required Latitude and Longitude fields and populates the Tract and
Block fields. IMPORTANT: The individual address and map spot coordinates are fictitious and do not
represent a Title 13 address.

Step 6

Step 7

Select OK to complete the addition of the address record to the User Address List. Select Cancel to
close the Address Update window and cancel adding the record.
Repeat this process to add each residential address affected by the boundary correction in the
working county. Save the project by using the Save icon from the Standard toolbar.
IMPORTANT: Only include residential addresses affected by the boundary correction. CQR is not an
opportunity to add all addresses for a GU.

GUs that have the address records affected by the boundary correction in a separate file(s) that
do not wish to re-enter the information manually into the Address Update window can use the
steps in Table 11 to import their address file into the User Address List.
IMPORTANT: GUPS allows participants to import more than one file of addresses and will
append records to the User Address List. It will not prevent a participant from reimporting the same file. A participant must manually check for duplicate
imported records. The validation checks do not identify duplicate records, only
records that are missing information in required fields. Participants must
conduct their own quality checks of the records within their User Address List.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Table 11: Steps to Import an Address File into the User Address List
Step

Action and Result(s)
With the CQR project open, if the User Address List is not displayed, select the Address List button
from the CQR toolbar,

or choose the User Address List tab at the bottom of the Map View.
Step 1

The User Address List opens near the bottom of the Map View. The window is undocked and can be
moved.

Step 2

Select the Import button from the User Address List.

Step 3

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
The Address Import window appears with questions regarding the import or saving of a sample
header file. To save a blank sample header file to complete and import later, choose No and follow
Steps 5-7. To continue with importing a file, choose Yes and follow Steps 8 - 11.

Step 4

The Save As window opens. Navigate to a local directory and provide a file name to save the file.

Step 5

Once saved, the Address Import window reappears with information about the location of the saved
file.

Step 6

Select Yes to open the file or No to return to the Map View.

Step 7

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GUs proceed with populating the address records into the sample header file, ensuring that required
information is included and proper formatting is followed. The file must be saved as a commadelimited text file (i.e., a .csv or a .txt). Refer to Appendix H for information on the Sample Header
file and its required fields.

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
GUs with an acceptable address list prepared, or that have completed the sample header file
downloaded in Step 5, select Yes in the Address Import window.

Step 8

Navigate to the directory of the address list, select the file, and choose Open.

Step 9

If the file is empty or contains errors GUPS will return errors in the Address Import window.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
With a properly formatted file, the Import Options window appears for the participant to associate
the field names in the file with the field names in User Address List.

Step 10

Most of these will be correct by default of GUPS reading the imported file, but participants are
advised to scroll through all the options for each header to ensure the fields in the file for import
match what will be displayed in GUPS. With all the Census Headers associated with the User
Headers, select OK.
If the import process encounters problems, an Import Address window appears seeking confirmation
regarding how to proceed.

Import All Addresses will import all records into the User Address List, but the errant records must
be corrected prior to finishing work on the project. The errors are identified as part of the Address
Review Tool covered later in the guide in section 5.1.4.
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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
If the import completes successfully, the address(es) import into in the User Address List.

Step 11

Proceed to the next section for instructions on additional functionality within the User Address
List.

5.1.3

Editing, Copying, and Deleting Records in the User Address List

With records added or imported into the User Address List, participants can use additional
functionality integrated into the User Address List to edit, copy, or delete records. These
functions are rather intuitive, but follow the steps in Table 12 for guidance on these tasks.
IMPORTANT: All address records that appear are fictitious and do not represent a Title 13
address record.
Table 12: Steps to Edit, Copy, and Delete Records in the User Address List
Step

Action and Result(s)
To edit a record in the User Address List, select the record and then select the Edit button.

Step 1

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
The Address Update window opens with the record populated.

Step 2

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Edit the information and select OK to apply the edit to the record and close the window. For this
record, the type was changed from a GQ to a HU.

Step 3

Step 4

Proceed with editing records as necessary using the same steps above.
To deselect a selected record, choose the Deselect All Features button from the User Address
List.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
To copy a record in the User Address List, select the record and then select the Copy button.

Step 5

A Copy input window appears. Participants enter the number of new address records to create.

Step 6

Key the number of record to copy from the selected record and select OK or select Cancel to
return to the User Address List.

Step 7

Three copied records appear at the bottom of the User Address List for a participant to edit. Use
the instructions from Steps 1 -4 to apply edits to the records so they do not duplicate the original
record.

Step 8

This functionality is especially helpful for adding multi-unit records where the only difference in
the address and latitude/longitude is the unit information.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
To delete a record in the User Address List, select the record and then select the Delete button.

Step 9

The CQR Address Update window appears with a warning that the deletion of the record cannot
be undone.

Step 10

Select OK to delete the address or Cancel to return to the User Address List.
To start over with creating the User Address List, participants may use the Delete All button. A
CQR Address Update window warns the participant the deletion cannot be undone. Select OK to
delete all the addresses from the User Address List or Cancel to return to the User Address List.
Step 11

Use of the two blue arrows to the right of the Delete All button from the User Address List
moves the selection from one record to another.

Step 12

U.S. Census Bureau

Save the project using the Save icon from the Standard toolbar or from beneath the Project
menu.

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

All boundary cases must execute validation checks to ensure the spatial changes and addresses
including in the User Address List are valid for Census Bureau processing. Proceed to the next
section for instructions on executing these checks.

5.1.4

Executing Validation Checks

With the boundary correction(s) complete, follow the steps in Table 13 for the steps to execute
the validation checks. If a participant skips these validation checks, the Export to Zip tool,
detailed in Chapter 6, will notify the participant and will not proceed with exporting the case.
Table 13: Steps to Execute Validation Checks (Boundary Cases Only)
Step
Step 1

Action and Result(s)
With the CQR project open, select the Review Change Polygons button from the CQR toolbar.

The Review Change Polygons window appears beneath the Table of Contents.

Step 2

The window can be undocked and relocated by participants within the project or outside of the
project window.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Only the layers in which a participant made a boundary correction appear beneath the Geography
drop-down menu. In this example, only the Place layer appears.

Select the Geography from the drop-down menu. The window updates to reveal the polygons that
changed during the boundary correction process.

Step 3

Selection of a polygon in the Review Change Polygons window zooms to the polygon in the Map
View. This permits the participant to review the change polygons involved with the boundary
correction prior to running the three checks that appear within the tool itself (e.g., Small Area
Check, Find Holes, and Address Check). Refer to section 5.1.1 for instruction to correct the
boundary.
Note: In the image shown in Step 3, the polygon for Annapolis with 1.54 acres appears twice
because it was added to Annapolis and then deleted rather than using the Undo action described in
Table 9. Participants should understand that the Review Change Polygons tool locates all changed
polygons, even if they are duplicates caused by moving a face in and out of a GU. Review the
polygon to confirm it is correct for the GU.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Select the Small Area Check button from the Review Change Polygons window to check for change
polygons with an area smaller than 500 square feet.

A passing check results in a window confirming no change polygons exists that are smaller than 500
square feet.

A failed check results the Small Area Check button name changing to Display All Changes. The
Review Change Polygons window lists the polygon(s) with the small area and its acreage.
Step 3a

All polygons on this list should be investigated to determine if a correction is needed. Not all
polygons less than 500 square feet are errors. Participants choose the polygon(s) that appears to
zoom in the Map View and review it. If correction is needed, use the Modify Area Feature tool to
remove the small area polygon (Remove Area button) from the entity or add to the polygon (Add
Area button).

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Select the Find Holes button from the Review Change Polygons window to check for holes, or gaps,
within the GU boundary. Holes in coverage could occur if very small faces are missed during the
boundary correction process.

A passing check results in a window that indicates no holes are present.

Step 3b
A failed check opens a Find Holes window that lists the holes for review and correction.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
To fix the hole, choose the record and select the Fix button

Step 3c

The tool consumes the hole back into the GU and removes the record from the Find Hole window.

Note: The “fix” action for the face causes the face to appear as a change polygon in the Review
Change Polygons window.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Select the Address Check button from the Review Change Polygons window to check the User
Address List for the presence of at least one address record associated with the boundary
correction(s).

A passing check results in a window that indicates the proposed boundaries contain at least one
address.

Step 3d

A failed check results in a window that instructs the participant to provide an applicable address
inside the proposed boundary of the GU(s) listed.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Use the list of change polygons that appears in the Review Change Polygons window to navigate to
the boundary correction area(s) in the Map View and identify the blocks to review for the presence
of addresses in the User Address List.

Refer to section 5.1.2 for instructions to add records in the User Address List.
Step 4

Repeat all three checks within the Review Change Polygons window to confirm no issues remain
and no new failures occur following additional boundary corrections. Save the project by using the
Save icon from the Standard toolbar.
To review the validity of the addresses in the User Address List, select the Address Review button
from the CQR toolbar.

If errors are present, a User Address Error List window opens and docks beneath the Table of
Contents. This list contains three errors to “Fix.”

Step 5

As with other resulting windows, it can be undocked and moved if needed.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Choose an address record from the User Address Error List. The Fix button activates for selection.

Step 6

Select the Fix button. The Address Update window opens along the right side of the Map View and
a CQR Address Update window appears with details about the failed address record.

Step 7

Step 8

Select OK to dismiss the CQR Address Update window, then correct the error(s) in the Address
Update window before selecting OK to close the window.

Step 9

Proceed to select, review, and fix each record in the User Address Error List. Once complete,
execute the Address Review Tool again to confirm all errors were fixed. Save the project by using
the Save icon from the Standard toolbar.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
If addresses do not exist in the User Address List, a confirmation window appears indicating there
are no addresses to review. Dismiss the window by selecting OK, add records to the User Address
List, and execute the tool again.

If there are no errors, a confirmation window appears indicating there were no errors in the address
list. Dismiss the window by selecting OK.

Step 10

Though not required, participants can execute a review of the geography by selecting the
Geography Review Tool button from the CQR toolbar.

A Geography Review Tool window opens.

Step 11

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
All layers within the project appear for selection beneath the Layer Name drop-down menu. To
review the layers that have changed, choose a layer that was edited in the project. For this example,
the “place_24003” layer is selected and the two places in the county appear.

Step 12

Note: Other layers that could be reviewed depending on the type of modifications made in the
project include the edges layer for linear feature updates and the county, mcd, American Indian
Area, American Indian Tribal Subdivision, etc. for boundary corrections.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Select a record from the list to activate the Zoom button and zoom to the selected record in the
Map View or use the mouse to double-click the record in the Geography Review Tool window to
zoom to the selected record.

Step 13

Note: the Column Name drop-down menu permits the selection of attributes within the selected
layer to further query the layer.
Step 14

Close the Geography Review Tool window by selecting the red X in the upper right corner of the
window or move the window away from the Map View then proceed to zoom and pan around the
outer edge of the boundary of the layer and entity selected to confirm it is accurate.
If any modification was made in the project , the Census Bureau recommends participants repeat
the validation checks to ensure the project is free of errors before proceeding with updating
housing counts and/or exporting the case for submission.

If the CQR case only includes boundary correction(s), proceed to Part 4 for instructions to
submit the case. Otherwise, continue to the next section for instructions on preparing a case
with housing count discrepancies.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

5.2

Preparing a Housing Count Case

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

A list that includes the contested 2020 tabulation blocks in their GU, their current housing and
group quarters counts, and the corrected counts for both housing units and group quarters as of
April 1, 2020. Any counts after this date are considered out of scope for CQR and will not be
processed during the CQR operation.

•

Supporting documentation, as detailed in section D.

For GUPS participants, the list (i.e., the CQR Block Count List File) is preloaded in the software
and permits the GU to add their counts to the appropriate fields (e.g., CQRHU and CQRGQ) in
the file for the blocks they believe to be discrepant. The software also permits GUs to upload
their supporting documentation and associates it with the case prior to submission.

5.2.1

Correcting the Housing Counts

This section discusses how to correct a discrepant housing count in GUPS. Table 2 from earlier
in the guide provides the field specifications, names, descriptions, and edit information for the
CQR Block Count List File which is the same material that appears in GUPS. The last two fields
are blank for entering the GU’s housing count information (e.g., CQRHU for housing unit counts
and CQRGQ for group quarters counts).
Table 14 provides steps to correct the housing counts in the CQR Block Count List. GUs must
edit the housing counts for at least ONE 2020 tabulation block to be a housing count case for
2020 Census CQR.
Note:

GUs with only boundary corrections are not required to update the housing counts in
the CQR Block Count List for the blocks affected by their boundary correction since
they are supplying a User Address List for the individual addresses in the affected
blocks.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Table 14: Steps to Correct Housing Counts in the CQR Block Count List
Step

Action and Result(s)
With the CQR project open, if the CQR Block Count List is not displayed, select the Block Count List
button from the CQR toolbar or choose the CQR Block Count List tab at the bottom of the Map
View.

Step 1

The CQR Block Count List opens near the bottom of the Map View. The window is undocked and can
be moved. IMPORTANT: The figures used in the CENSUSHU and CENSUSGQ fields are fictitious and
for testing purposes only. They are not the tallies from the 2020 Census.

Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
Using information from the research conducted in Part 1, navigate/sort through the CQR Block
Count List to locate the blocks identified as having a housing count discrepancy. Participants may
use the Search Block Number field to enter a block number to search the list. Once located, the CQR
Block Count List will display all records that contain that block, first sorted by the Tract field.

Select the block with the discrepancy in the CQR Block Count List and choose the Edit button.

Step 3

The Map View zooms to the selected block and the Edit Block Count window opens. In this window,
the New HU Count and New GQ Count fields are the only editable fields.

Step 4

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
To submit a correction for either of the two Census count fields (e.g., Census HU Count or Census
GQ Count), enter the corrected count(s) in the appropriate New Count (e.g. New HU Count or New
GQ Count) field. When editing these two fields, a maximum of 4 digits can be entered. If a Census
count is correct, leave the corresponding New Count field blank.

Step 5

Select the Save button to close the Edit Block Count window. The corrected count information
appears in the CQR Block Count List.

Step 6

Step 7

Repeat this process to correct all the discrepant housing counts in the working county. Save the
project by using the Save icon from the Standard toolbar.

If all work is complete, proceed to Part 4 for instructions to submit the project(s) that form the
CQR case.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

PART 4

SUBMITTING A CQR CASE

With the case preparation complete, this part of the guide provides instructions submitting a
CQR case. Chapter 6 summarizes the steps for exporting a CQR project to generate the CQR
case .zip file for submission, while the Chapter 7 provides the steps for using the Secure Web
Incoming Module (SWIM) to submit the GU’s CQR case to the Census Bureau. The closing
chapter includes the next steps for the operation.
Note:

Recall if a GU spans more than one county, more than one case may exist to export for
submission. Apply the guidance in this part of the guide to all cases for the GU;
meaning export each CQR project for the GU and submit each using SWIM.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

CHAPTER 6

EXPORTING A CQR PROJECT

Follow the instructions in Table 15 to export the CQR project for submission to the Census
Bureau. Participants export their project for submission to the Census Bureau after all work is
complete within the working county.
Note:

The second option, Share with Another Participant, is not covered in this table. If there
are questions regarding this second option , contact the Census Bureau by phone at
(888) 369-3617 or by email at .
Table 15: Steps to Export CQR Project for Census

Step
Step 1

Action and Result(s)
With the CQR project open, select the Export to Zip button from the CQR toolbar.

A Select Output Type window appears. Choose Export for Census and select OK.

Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
If the project contains spatial changes (i.e., a boundary case) and the validation checks were not
previously executed, or if errors were not corrected, the resulting Export to Zip window prompts the
participant to run the validation checks/tools.

Select Cancel to return to the Map View. Return to section 5.1.4 for the instructions to run the
required validation checks.
If the project contains no errors, or if all errors have been corrected, the Export Documents window
appears and asks if the participant wants to add more documents to the project.

Select No to dismiss the window and not add any supporting documentation. Select Yes to open an
Export Documents secondary window and navigate to the directory where the supporting
documentation is located.

Step 3

Select the document(s) and then select the Open button to add the document(s) to the project zip
file. Refer to section D for the supporting documentation required by the Census Bureau before
committing resources to investigate a CQR case. It provides the details for both boundary and
housing count cases.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Step

Action and Result(s)
The process described above adds supporting documentation to the CQR case .zip file for housing
count cases and for additional boundary case documentation not specifically related to the
boundary correction. Recall that adding specific boundary correction documentation is part of the
process for correcting a boundary outlined in Table 9.
Upon completion of adding supporting documentation files, an Export to Zip window appears
confirming the .zip file creation and providing the folder location of the file.

Select Yes to open the folder location window and view the .zip file or select No to dismiss the
window.
Step 4

This is the .zip file the GU provides to the Census Bureau. GUs with more than one project (i.e.,
more than one working county) will have a .zip file for each project in this folder following each
project’s export process. All exported.zip files appear in this same folder.

Follow the instructions in the next chapter to provide the exported .zip file(s) to the Census
Bureau.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

CHAPTER 7

USING THE SECURE WEB INCOMING MODULE (SWIM)

GUPS participants use the Secure Web Incoming Module (SWIM) to provide their CQR case to
the Census Bureau. Use the information in this chapter to establish or access an existing SWIM
account and to submit the exported .zip file(s) generated in Chapter 6. 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 phone at (888) 369-3617 or by
email at 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., jane@anytown.org or Jane@anytown.org or JANE@ANYTOWN.ORG). 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.
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
because 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. Contact
the Census Bureau to resolve SWIM issues.
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. Follow the steps
below for instructions on using SWIM to submit your GU’s CQR case .zip file.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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, 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.
9. Navigate to the directory location of the CQR case .zip file (e.g., the
“/GUPSGIS/gupsdata/CQR20/output” folder).
10. Select the exported .zip file and choose the Open button.
11. 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.
12. Select the Next button to proceed with the upload OR repeat steps 9 and 10 for each .zip file
associated with the GU (i.e., GUs that span more than one county or states that worked more
than one county may have .zip file for each of their counties).
a. Note, please complete all work in all counties prior to making a submission with multiple
working counties.
13. 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.
14. 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 contact the
Census Bureau by email at or by phone at
(888) 369-3617 to discuss shipping instructions; otherwise, proceed to the next chapter for the
next steps in 2020 Census CQR.
U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

CHAPTER 8

NEXT STEPS FOR 2020 CENSUS CQR

This final chapter 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.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

APPENDICES

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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.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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 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 11 shows an example of an index sheet for a census block with five parent sheets while
Figure 12 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 13 for an example of a legend. All three of these examples are of prototype maps and
may not be identical to the final materials.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

A-2

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

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

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

A-3

Figure 13: Example of a Census Block-based Work Map Legend

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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 16.
Note:

For participants using GUPS, these shapefiles load directly into GUPS by using the
“Census Web” option as discussed in Table 5. To use these files saved locally, refer to
instructions in Table 40.
Table 16: 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 Partnership
shapefiles .zip file. For this example that is “CQR.”

Step 1

Note: 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.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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 (GUPS)

B-2

Step

Action and Result(s)
Open the sub-directory, to reveal a minimum of two additional .zip file 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 shapefile download process. For example, if
a GU spans more than one county, they would download all 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 file. Note: 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 (GUPS)

B-3

Step

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

Step 5

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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 (GUPS)

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 (GUPS)

B-6

Step

Action and Result(s)
GUPS participants using the “My Computer” option rather than “Census Web” must save their data
(2021 Partnership shapefiles and CQR Block Count List File) as described in this table.
GUPS requires one sub-directory with the state shapefiles (named by the state FIPS code), one subdirectory 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 folder (CQR) does not affect GUPS. These additional files
could be local GIS files, local supporting documentation, the initial .zip file of shapefiles, etc.

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 17 contains the important 2021 Partnership shapefiles for 2020 Census CQR. Using this
table with the information discussed in section B and appendix B1, GUs can determine which
files they need to complete their review of the 2020 Census results. GUPS uses these same
layers to prepare 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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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

B-7

Table 17: 2021 Partnership Shapefiles Important 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 (GUPS)

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 (GUPS)

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 17, 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.

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).

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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. Note, these differ from Tribal 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. Note, these differ from Tribal Census Tracts.

•

Tabulation Blocks.

•

B1.3 Tribal Areas – Alaska Native Villages
•

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

•

Census Tracts. Note, these differ from Tribal Census Tracts.

•

Tabulation Blocks.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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 (GUPS)

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 (GUPS)

B-13

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 (GUPS)

B-14

Table 18: Census Blocks - Current (tabblock) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-15

Table 19: Census Tract - Current (curtracts) Layer
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, 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 (GUPS)

B-16

Table 20: All Lines (edges) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-17

Table 21: Alaska Native Regional Corporations (anrc) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-18

Table 22: American Indian Areas – Legal (aial) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-19

Table 23: American Indian Areas – Statistical (aias) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-20

Table 24: American Indian Tribal Subdivisions - Legal (aitsl) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-21

Table 25: American Indian Tribal Subdivisions - Statistical (aitss) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-22

Table 26: Area Landmarks (arealm) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-23

Table 27: Census Designated Places (cdp) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-24

Table 28: Consolidated Cities (concity) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-25

Table 29: Counties and Equivalent Areas (county) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-26

Table 30: County Subdivisions - Legal (mcd) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-27

Table 31: Geographic Offsets (offset) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-28

Table 32: Hawaiian Home Lands (hhl) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-29

Table 33: Hydrography - Area (water) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-30

Table 34: Incorporated Places (place) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-31

Table 35: Point Landmarks (pointlm) Layer
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 36: Roads (roads) Layer

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 (GUPS)

B-32

Table 37: States and Equivalent Areas (state) Layer
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 38: Subbarrios (submcd) Layer
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 (GUPS)

B-33

Table 39: Address Ranges (addr) Relationship Table
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

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APPENDIX C

START A CQR PROJECT USING MY COMPUTER

Because the CQR Block Count List File and 2021 Partnership shapefiles were previously
downloaded to conduct a review of the 2020 Census results, as detailed in Table 16, use those
files with the instructions below.
Note:

If the GU received materials from the Census Bureau on a DVD, the GU must copy the
contents of the DVD to a local directory and use the My Computer option. GUPS does
not load files directly from the DVD.
Table 40: Steps to Open GUPS and Start a CQR Project Using My Computer

Step

Action and Result(s)
To open GUPS, select the QGIS3 icon from the Start button.

Step 1
The QGIS splash screen appears.

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Step

Action and Result(s)
A participant can also locate QGIS3 by typing ‘qgis’ in the Search area at the bottom left of the
screen, near the Start button, in Windows 10.

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Step

Action and Result(s)
The Map Management window appears.

Step 2

Use the drop-down menu next to the Program field to select Count Question Resolution.
If the Map Management window does not appear, choose the Map Management button from the
Standard toolbar (shown below highlighted by a red rectangle). If it still does not appear, refer to
Appendix D for troubleshooting tips.

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Step

Action and Result(s)
Choose the GU’s state from the State drop-down menu.

Step 3

Choose the GU’s county from the Working County drop-down menu. Note: This field is required for
all entity types to prepare the CQR Block Count List within the CQR project.

Step 4

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Step

Action and Result(s)
A secondary Map Management window appears to select the data source. From this secondary Map
Management window, choose My Computer from the Select Data Folder, Directory or Location
drop-down menu.

Step 5

Note: The CD/DVD option is not used for 2020 Census CQR. Files received on DVD to review the
2020 Census results are copied locally and not loaded into GUPS directly from the DVD.
A Select directory window opens. Choose the local directory (e.g., “CQR” as detailed in Table 16)
where the unzipped shapefiles and the original CQR Block Count List File reside, then choose the
Select button. Project load times vary based upon the size of the working county’s CQR Block Count
List FIle (i.e., the number of blocks).

Step 6

IMPORTANT: GUPS requires the original CQR Block Count List File, not the one with a concatenated
GEOID described in section 2.1.

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Step

Action and Result(s)
Project load times vary based upon the size of the working county’s CQR Block Count List (i.e., the
number of blocks). After the data loads into GUPS, the Table of Contents populates and symbolizes
according to preset styles. The Map View fills with the working county. The Menu Bar, Standard
Toolbar, and CQR Toolbar appear along the top and the Status Bar appears at the bottom of the
screen. The CQR Block Count List opens by default. The counts shown in the screenshot for Anne
Arundel County (24003) are fictional and used for illustrative purposes only.

Step 7

Note: The QGIS 3.4.4 Madeira and CQR display at the very top left of the application window, along
with the entity coding for the GU. This information helps a participant confirm use of the newer
QGIS version and selection of the correct GU and program.
The Census Bureau requests no changes to the default projection and recommends no changes be
made to the default layer symbology once the project loads.
To save a project, use the Save button on the Standard toolbar. Otherwise, edits will be lost.

From the Current edits confirmation dialog box choose the Yes button to save or the No button to
cancel without saving the project.
Step 8

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Step

Action and Result(s)
Participants may use the Save option beneath the Project tab to save the project as well.

To reopen a saved project, expand the menu beneath the Open Recent button from the Map
Management window. The drop-down list provides a list of current projects created using GUPS.

Step 9

Proceed back to section 4.1 to resume the guide’s instruction.

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APPENDIX D

TROUBLESHOOTING GUPS INSTALLATION

If the default Map Management window, as shown in Figure 14, does not display after opening
QGIS (Figure 15), then this indicates a GUPS installation issue.

Figure 14: Default Map Management Window

Figure 15: QGIS without a Map Management Window
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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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Follow the instructions below in Table 41 to correct the installation issue(s). If problems persist
after applying the instructions in the table below, contact the Census Bureau by phone at
(888) 369-3617 or by email at .
Table 41: Steps to Troubleshoot GUPS Installation
Step

Action and Result(s)
With QGIS open, identify the GUPS version by accessing the GUPS  About GUPS menu located
on the Menu bar. The Menu bar buttons are described in sub-appendix E1.
If the version is lower than version 14.0.0-6, navigate to the CQR website and download the
proper version. Those steps are discussed in Table 4 and should be applied before proceeding
with the details in this table.

Step 1

If no Map Management window is visible, from the Menu bar choose the Plugins menu and then
Manage and Install Plugins.
Step 2

The Plugins window opens. Select the Installed option on the left side of the window. Confirm a
checkmark exists next to the gupsapp item. If a checkmark is absent, use the mouse to select the
box to the left of the gupsapp name. Choose the Close button to close the window.

Step 3

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Step

Action and Result(s)
Close QGIS and restart the software by selecting the QGIS3 icon from the Start Menu.

Step 4

If the Map Management window still does not appear, add the plugin manually following the
remaining steps in this table.

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Step

Action and Result(s)
From the Menu bar, select the SettingsSelect User ProfilesOpen Active Profile Folder.

The default profile window opens.
Step 5

Select and open the python folder. The window shows the contents of the python folder.

Step 6

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Step

Action and Result(s)
Select and open the plugins folder. The window shows the contents of the plugins folder.

Step 7

Keep this window open. Do not close this window. This window provides the location where
upcoming changes are needed.
Close QGIS by selecting Project Exit QGIS or by selecting the “X” in the upper right corner.

Step 8

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Step

Action and Result(s)
With the plugins window still open, open another File Explorer window on the computer.
Navigate to the location where the gups.zip file was saved and unzipped. Note, this occurred as
part of action described in Table 4.

Step 9

Select and open the items folder.

Step 10

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Step

Action and Result(s)
Copy the gupsapp.zip file from the items folder into the plugins folder in Step 7.

Step 11

Delete the gupsapp folder so that only the gupsapp.zip file exists in the plugins folder.

Step 12

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Step

Action and Result(s)
Unzip the gupsapp.zip file to the plugins folder. WinZip provides the Unzip to here option that
handles the proper placement of unzipped file contents.

Step 13

Unzipping the file elsewhere is incorrect and will cause problems with correcting the installation
problem.
Once the unzip action completes, confirm the new gupsapp folder was created and delete the
gupsapp.zip file from the plugins folder.

Step 14

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Step

Action and Result(s)
For GUPS to work, the plugins folder must contain only the gupsapp folder, as shown in Step 7.
Open QGIS by selecting the QGIS3 icon from the Start Menu.

If the Map Management window appears, the installation issue is resolved.
Step 15

Step 16

U.S. Census Bureau

If the Map Management window does not appear, please contact the Census Bureau by phone at
(888) 369-3617 or by email at .for assistance.

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

D-9

APPENDIX E

ADDITIONAL GUPS FUNCTIONALITY

The Census Bureau strongly recommends the use of the QGIS documentation to supplement
information provided within this appendix. Refer to the QGIS documentation guide on-screen
or download an Adobe Acrobat PDF of the QGIS 3.4 documentation from the following link,
. The QGIS 3.4 documentation is in the “Archived” section of the
link, near the bottom of the page.
The content included in the subsequent appendices may vary from what appears with each
QGIS/GUPS installation, but we anticipate most installations will include the menus and toolbar
elements described within this appendix. If new/different menus, sub-menus, toolbar buttons,
etc. appear that are not included in this appendix, check the QGIS documentation.

Menu Bar

The Menu bar includes top-level, drop-down menus and allows navigation through GUPS using
a standard hierarchical menu. Most relate to QGIS functionality and not GUPS functionality. The
Menu bar, shown in Figure 16, offers basic features to manage the Map View. Almost all the
functions available from the Menu bar are also available in the various toolbars.

Figure 16: Menu Bar

Table 42 provides the function(s)/description(s) of the menus and sub-menus of the Menu bar.
Table 42: Menu Bar Tabs and Their Function/Description
Menu

Menu Option(s)

Function/Description

Project

Provides access and exit
points of the project file.

Edit

Provides most of the native
tools to edit layer attributes
or geometry.
IMPORTANT: For the Undo
and Redo sub-menus to
activate, the layer must be
active/selected in the Table
of Contents

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Menu Option(s)

Function/Description

View

Provides tools to interact
with Map View.

Layer

Provides large set of tools to
create new data sources,
add them to a project, or
save modifications to them.
Note: The Add Layer submenu is useful to add locally
created shapefiles as
reference layers.

Settings

U.S. Census Bureau

Provides tools and options to
manage profiles, styles,
projections, and interfaces
of the project. Because we
ask for no changes to the
projection, this menu is not
needed for CQR.

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Menu Option(s)

Function/Description

Vector

Provides common vectorbased GIS tasks from
different providers. Core
plugins affect subcomponent
availability. Not needed for
CQR.

Raster

Provides common rasterbased GIS tasks from
different providers. Core
plugins affect subcomponent
availability. Not needed for
CQR.

Web

Provides access to tools that
are QGIS based. Not needed
for CQR.

Processing

Provides tools that pertain to
algorithms, models, etc. Not
needed for CQR.

Help

Provides common help
functions for understanding
QGIS.

GUPS

Provides information about
GUPS version (About GUPS)
and shortcuts to other
common GUPS related
toolbars.
IMPORTANT: The About
GUPS sub-menu provides the
GUPS version number.
Callers to technical support
need to provide the version
number with their question.

Proceed to the next appendix for details on the Table of Contents and its toolbar.

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Table of Contents and TOC Toolbar

Though the Census Bureau believes the default organization of layers and symbology serves
GUs in the most efficient manner, participants may use the Table of Contents and Table of
Contents toolbar to manage the Map View. See Figure 17 for a visual of the Table of Contents
toolbar.
Using the Table of Contents toolbar, participants can add and remove layers or groups, manage
map themes, filter the legend by map content or by expression, expand or collapse all sections
of the Table of Contents list at once and may remove layers/groups. Participants may
manipulate layers and symbology in GUPS using basic selection/deselection techniques in the
Table of Contents, like with other GIS software. Manipulation of layers within the Table of
Contents may assist with viewing information more appropriately in the Map View. Changes
made in the Table of Contents reflect immediately in the Map View.

Figure 17: Table of Contents Toolbar

Table 43 provides a visual of each button, the corresponding name, and each button’s
function/description.
Table 43: Table of Contents Toolbar Buttons and Their Function/Description
Button

U.S. Census Bureau

Name

Function/Description

Open Layer Styling Panel

Toggles layer styling panel on/off.

Add Group

Organizes layers in the Table of Contents into groups.

Manage Map Themes

Offers modification of views based on layers in the
Table of Contents.

Filter Legend by Map Content

Removes layers not currently in the Map View extent.

Filter Legend by Expression

Removes features from the selected layer tree style
that have no features satisfying a
condition/expression.

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Button

Name

Function/Description

Expand All

Expands the Table of Contents menus to display all
layers under each group’s menu.

Collapse All

Collapses the Table of Contents menus to only show
groups (not the layers beneath).

Remove Layer/Group

Removes a layer or group from the Table of Contents.

To manage visibility of individual groups or layers, check the checkbox next to a layer to make
the layer visible (e.g., turn the layer on) in the Map View. Uncheck the checkbox (e.g., turn the
layer off) next to a layer to make the layer invisible in the Map View. This may prove beneficial
if the Map View is cluttered with too many data layers.
To expand the menu for a layer or grouped layer, select the symbol and the sub-menu opens.
Select the symbol to collapse the sub-menu. See Figure 18 for an example of the checkmark
and arrow symbology.

Figure 18: Table of Contents with Layer Checkmarks and Arrows

The order in which the layers appear in the Table of Contents determines the order that the
layers display in the Map View. The layers at the top of the Table of Contents display on top of
the layers that appear below them. While CQR GUPS is programmed to display data layers in an
order that works for most participants, adding imagery or other data layers may require a
reordering of layers for the map elements to appear properly within GUPS. To manage the
order of layers use the mouse and follow these steps:
1. Select the layer name in the Table of Contents.
1. Hold down the mouse button and drag the layer to the desired position in the Table of Contents.
2. Release the mouse button to place the layer in its new position. The Map View will reflect the
new layer order in the Table of Contents.

IMPORTANT: Map labels appear at varying scales dependent on the map layer. For instance,
census tract labels appear at the 1:20,000 scale, while minor civil division and
incorporated place labels appear at 1:250,000 scale.
Proceed to the next appendix for details on the Standard toolbar.
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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

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Standard Toolbar

The Standard toolbar, shown in Figure 19, provides navigation tools and other tools needed to
interact with the Map View and layers’ attribute tables.

Figure 19: Standard Toolbar

The Standard toolbar includes three sub-toolbars, identified by the grouping bars or markers on
the toolbar. See Figure 20 for a visual of the markers.

Figure 20: Sub-Toolbar Markers

The first sub-toolbar, the Project toolbar, contains buttons for saving projects, changing map
projects, and managing map projects. The second sub-toolbar, the Map Navigation toolbar,
contains buttons to navigate the Map View. The last sub-toolbar, the Attributes toolbar,
contains buttons to identify, select, and measure elements within the map. To rearrange the
toolbars, press the left mouse button and hold the sub-toolbar marker then drag it to the
desired location within the project. Release the mouse button to set the toolbar in the new
location.
Table 44 provides a visual of each button, the corresponding name, and each button’s
function/description.
Table 44: Standard Toolbar Buttons and Their Function/Description
Button

U.S. Census Bureau

Name

Function/Description

Save

Saves the current GUPS project including changes
to the layer properties, last viewed map extent,
and layers added.

Style Manager

Opens window to edit the markers, lines, fills,
colors, etc. within a project. Not recommended
for use in CQR.

Map Management

Opens window to choose GUPS program, import a
zip file, or open a recent project. Likely will not
use once the CQR project is initially created.

GUPS Data Settings

Opens window to change the GUPS working
directory should problems occur when loading
data. Also allows for deletion of a program or a
project. Contact the Census Bureau prior to use of
this button because deletion of program or
project is permanent. For more instructions
specific to cleaning a CQR project refer to
Appendix I.

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Button

U.S. Census Bureau

Name

Function/Description

Import Custom Shapefile

Permits user to import their own shapefiles for
reference into a project.

Pan Map

Re-centers Map View based on location selected
in the Map View without changing the scale.

Pan Map to Selection

Re-centers Map View based on selected
feature(s) without changing the scale.

Zoom In

Increases the map scale after selecting the Map
View and displays Map View at the larger scale.

Zoom Out

Decreases the map scale after selecting the Map
View and displays Map View at the smaller scale.

Zoom Full

Displays Map View at the full extent of the
project.

Zoom to Selection

Zooms to the scale of the feature selected in the
Map View or in the attribute table.

Zoom to Layer

Zooms to the extent of layer selected in the Table
of Contents.

Zoom Last

Returns to the previous zoom extent.

Zoom Next

Moves forward to the next zoom extent.

New Bookmark

Creates a spatial bookmark for the given area to
ease navigation. Allows for the naming and saving
of the geographic location for future reference.

Show Bookmarks

Views and manages spatial bookmarks. Use the
mouse to double-click bookmark name in the
Spatial Bookmark window to zoom to the
bookmark.

Refresh

Refreshes Map View at the current extent.

Identify Features

Identifies features in the Map View.

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Button

Name

Function/Description

Select Features by area or
single click

Reveals four selection methods: single click,
polygon, freehand, and radius. GUs likely use
tools from the CQR toolbar to select features.

Select Features by Value

Reveals four selection tactics: by value, by
expression, all features, and invert selection. GUs
likely use tools from the CQR toolbar to select
features.

Deselect Features from
All Layers

Deselects selected features from all layers in a
single action.

Toolbox

Reveals a Processing Toolbox window with
numerous QGIS processing tasks. Not used in
2020 Census CQR.

Measure

Reveals three measure options to measure the
distance along a line, for an area, or for an angle
on the map.

Proceed to the next appendix for details on the Status bar.

Status Bar

The Status bar, shown in Figure 21, provides details on the coordinates, scale, magnification,
rotation, and projection. These tools allow users to adjust the display. Also included are an icon
to review the software logs and a tool for rendering. Neither of which are used very often
during CQR.

Figure 21: Status Bar

Table 45 shows the elements within the Status bar and describes their function(s) or
description(s).
Table 45: Status Bar Elements and Their Function/Description
Element

Function/Description
This locator bar, a quick search widget, helps find and run
any feature or option in QGIS.

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2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

E-8

Element
Coordinate

Function/Description
Shows the current position in map coordinates as the
mouse moves across the Map View. The default unit
shown is decimal degrees. As a reminder, do not change
the projection of the project.
Toggles between the coordinate position of the mouse
cursor or the Map View extents as the map is panned and
zoomed.
Locks the scale to use the magnifier to zoom in and out at
the locked scale.

Magnifier

Allows user to zoom without changing the scale in the
Map View, making it easier to tweak label positions and
symbols. Magnification is as percentage. If 100%, then
magnification is not applied to the view.

Rotation

Defines the clockwise rotation for Map View in degrees.

Render

Checkbox to handle the rendering of layers to the Map
View.
Shows the current coordinate reference system used in
the Map View.
Shows the logs for the GUPS session.

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E-9

APPENDIX F

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 in GUPS. 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). 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 (GUPS)

F-1

APPENDIX G

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 (GUPS)

G-1

APPENDIX H

SAMPLE HEADER FILE INFORMATION

Use the information in Table 46 to understand the fields and their requirements for the sample
header file generated by GUPS that can be used to import individual address records into the
User Address List.
Table 46: Details Regarding the Sample Header File
Field
Number

Max
Characters

City Style

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. Refer to section
5.1.2.1 for definitions
of the city style and
non-city style address
types.

Yes, for all records.

Field to denote the
address record as a
group quarters. Enter
‘Y’ for group quarters,
otherwise leave blank.
Refer to section 5.1.2.1
for a definition of the
GQs address types.

Yes, ONLY if adding
a group quarters
address.
IMPORTANT: Leave
this field blank if the
address is not a GQ.

House #

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’ field.

U.S. Census Bureau

Field Name

Field Description

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Required (Yes or
No or
Recommended)

H-1

Field
Number

Max
Characters

100

Field Description

Required (Yes or
No or
Recommended)

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’ field.

Unit #

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
House #, Street
Name, ZIP or
Lat/Long).
Commonly occurs
with multi-unit
addresses.

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’
field. It must be
five-digit numeric
characters only.
Cannot be "00000",
"11111", "33333",
"66666", "77777",
"88888", or
"99999."

Urbanization

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 (GUPS)

H-2

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.

Area 1

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.

Area 2

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 (GUPS)

H-3

Field
Number

Max
Characters

KM/HM

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 ‘Y’ in ‘GQ’
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.

Non-City Style 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’ field.
If not available or
unknown, the
‘Location
Description’ field
becomes required.

U.S. Census Bureau

Field Name

Field Description

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

Required (Yes or
No or
Recommended)

H-4

Field
Number

Max
Characters

U.S. Census Bureau

Field Name

Field Description

Required (Yes or
No or
Recommended)

Non-City Style ZIP code

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

Yes, if ‘Non-City
Style Address’ field
is not “null.” It must
be five-digit
numeric characters
only. Cannot be
"00000", "11111",
"33333", "66666",
"77777", "88888",
or "99999."

Longitude

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

Yes. Cannot contain
special characters,
except the decimal
(e.g. ".") and the
negative sign (e.g. "") for this
hemisphere.

Latitude

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

Yes. Cannot contain
special characters,
except the decimal
(e.g. ".").

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

H-5

APPENDIX I

DELETE (CLEAN) A CQR PROJECT

To ensure a successful import of a shared CQR project or to completely delete a project that
may be problematic, participants use the Clean button from the Standard toolbar to erase an
existing CQR project and the sub-directories associated with the data in the project. Follow the
steps in Table 47 for instructions on this process.
Table 47: Steps to Delete (Clean) a CQR Project
Step

Action and Result(s)
With GUPS launched, but no CQR project open, select the Clean button from the Standard
toolbar.

A GUPS Data Settings window appears.

Step 1

A participant uses this button/window to change the GUPS working directory (e.g., GUPS Home)
location. This graphic uses the H:/GUPSGIS.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

I-1

Step

Action and Result(s)
Select Clean by Project from Options section of the GUPS Data Settings window.

Step 2

U.S. Census Bureau

A list of projects saved on in the GUPS data directory appear. Select the project to delete from
the list that appears and choose OK to proceed or Cancel to return to QGIS.

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

I-2

Step

Action and Result(s)
A Clean GUPS data warning window appears that informs the participant of the permanent
nature of this action. Select OK to proceed with the deletion or Cancel to return to the GUPS
Data Settings window.

Step 3

An opened CQR project will appear with a red shading from the list of program/project to delete.

If the opened project is selected for deletion, QGIS will offer the Clean GUPS data warning
message and then close automatically and delete the project if OK is selected.

GUs may now proceed with creating a new CQR project, described in Chapter 4.

U.S. Census Bureau

2020 Census CQR Participant Guide (GUPS)

I-3

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