Census 2030 Block Boundary Suggestion Project

Public Law 94-171 stipulates that the U.S. Census Bureau works with states to identify and provide small-area population counts for legislative redistricting. The Block Boundary Suggestion Project gives county government officials an opportunity to review and suggest changes to the census blocks used in the 2030 Census and subsequent legislative redistricting process. 

Please refer to the U.S. Census Bureau Redistricting Data Program website for detailed information about the program.

The deadline to submit 2030 block boundary suggestions is May 29, 2026.

Contact the Montana redistricting liaison for more information:

Dave Ritts
GIS Analyst
Montana Department of Commerce
dave.ritts@mt.gov
406-841-2030

Please use the following map to review the Prototype 2030 Census Blocks for a selected county. 

Map of Census 2030 ProTOTYPE BLOCKS

What types of block boundary suggestions can be made?

The U.S. Census Bureau generated the 2030 Prototype Census Blocks using a process that identifies and prioritizes linear features like roads and streams to use as boundaries.  A census block in a city is typically a city block surrounded by city streets.  A rural block can be much larger and might use a prominent road and to a lesser extent a stream to define the boundary.  In some cases, the prototype block generated by the process will need to be adjusted.

A typical block boundary suggestion occurs in areas of new development around cities.  New roads can be identified and added to suggest new blocks. Area landmarks, such as a new prison or cemetery, can be added to suggest new blocks.

Block boundary suggestions can also be used to split blocks with very large populations or combine blocks with very small populations. For example, one side of a large rural block might closely align with one community, while the other side closely aligns with a different community. 

What is the process for making a block boundary suggestion?

The Census and Economic Information Center within the Montana Department of Commerce has been designated as the redistricting liaison to the Census Bureau. In this capacity, Commerce will work with county government officials, such as election officials, to make suggestions to block boundaries. Please contact the Montana redistricting liaison to participate or request more information.

There are two recommended methods for making block boundary suggestions:

Method 1

A county may take ownership of all block boundary suggestions for their county. In this case, the redistricting liaison will provide access to the Block Boundary Suggestion Program through the online version of U.S. Census Bureau Geographic Update Partnership Software. County officials work with county GIS staff to make census block suggestions.

Please contact the Montana redistricting liaison if you want to use this service. A webinar will be scheduled to review the program and to set up accounts in GUPS.

Method 2

A county may work directly with the redistricting liaison within Commerce. In this case, the redistricting liaison will make the edits in GUPS based upon direction from county government officials. This will require a series of meetings between the county government officials and the redistricting liaison.

Please contact the Montana redistricting liaison if you want to use this service. A webinar will be scheduled to review the program as well as the prototype census blocks and to make edits as needed.