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