[uuoc]

And, if they did just the constitutionally required work (i.e., merely "count the population"), could that be done for the current allocation (or less)?

One of the extra 'costs' in the current census is all the freaking extra crap they try to 'survey' beyond a "head count" in order to make work for themselves for the next nine years until the next census.

Count the population, then shut down the department for 9 years. Lots of cost savings right there.