After last year’s census, a second “mini-census” was conducted by the government to gauge not only how many United States residents were not counted, but how many were counted twice.The “mini-census” survey targeted 314,000 households selected to reflect the nation’s demographic diversity. If necessary, enumerators visited each household repeatedly to ensure a high rate of accurate reporting.According to the Census Bureau, troubling information was discovered when the results of the “mini-census” were compared with the first to measure differences. It was found that upper- and middle-income people had a better chance of being overcounted if they owned a second residence, including a vacation home. Students living on college campuses may have been counted at school as well as at the home of their parents.Renters were found to have a higher rate of being overlooked; members of minority groups have a lower rate of home ownership than whites.The federal pot of money alone distributed based on Census figures is about $200 billion a year, which explains why cities - especially those with larger minority populations - would prefer the Census be adjusted in an effort to account for those missed during the process.Ironically, it wasn’t until 1940 that census officials first realized that specific groups of people - especially minorities - might be missed in the count: that year, more African American men registered for the draft alone than had been projected by the census to exist.The Bush administration is expected to decide this week whether or not to use the original or adjusted census figures that include the estimated undercount.
Census awaits decision on undercount, billions at stake
March 15, 2001
Santa Paula News
Lawsuits have already started to stack up over whether or not to adjust totals to better reflect the undercount and as a challenge to the Bush administration’s decision to take the final decision-making power on adjustment out of the hands of the Census Bureau director.
At stake are billions of dollars - and congressional seats - determined by population.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesLawsuits have already started to stack up over whether or not to adjust totals to better reflect the undercount and as a challenge to the Bush administration’s decision to take the final decision-making power on adjustment out of the hands of the Census Bureau director.At stake are billions of dollars - and congressional seats - determined by population.The Census Bureau has estimated that over 3 million people were overlooked in last year’s massive counting effort.If the undercounted are not included it could hurt cities with large minority populations who rely on outside funding for projects and programs ranging from education to social services.Utah has filed a lawsuit centered on the undercount of Mormons outside the country on missions; the lawsuit claims that the undercount cost the state a chance to get an additional House seat.Last year’s Census effort - the most ambitious ever - was the result of new laws that ban sampling to determine population and demographics.
