Last night, I started reading this CNSTAT report.  The panel was chaired by Lawrence Brown, from the Wharton School of Business, Univ of Pennsylvania.  You might want to look at it too.  On page 283-301, there is a chapter on using Internet as a response method, and describes other national censuses, particularly Australia and Canada, and their experience.   The report also has information on using administrative records, particularly for non-response follow-up, but I haven’t read that part yet. 

Envisioning the 2020 Census

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12865

The cost of the 2010 Census was $115 per housing unit.  The costs for the Canadian Censuses have held constant at about $40 per housing unit since 1996.

This report says that the CB needs to FOCUS on a small number of key targets (“strategic visions”) to reduce costs without giving up the improvements in undercounts made in the last few decades.

Elaine Murakami

FHWA Office of Planning

206-220-4460