Results of the 2020 Census
Learn how a census is conducted, what census data determines, and the lasting impact the 2020 census has for the next 10 years
Kat Pereira / Contributor / The USD Vista
On April 26, the Census Bureau released 2020 census data along with apportionment results to have a lasting impact on factors ranging from federal funding to what party controls the House of Representatives for the next decade. While redistricting data won’t be available until Sept. 30 of this year, there is still a lot to discuss when it comes to census data.
The census involves taking a population count of individuals in the U.S. and where specifically, they are located every 10 years. The Census Bureau collects data for the census and ensures that the collection of data is accurate and inclusive. For the 2020 census, the Census Bureau implemented digital platforms in addition to going door to door to gather census data. The presence of a pandemic in 2020 proved more difficult to adapt to as COVID-19 disrupted the collecting of census data.
This made research and experimentation by the Census Bureau imperative in order to adapt to present-day realities. Having an internet option available to the public aimed to increase responses and reduce follow-up work for the Census Bureau.
While technology improved the collection of census data, COVID-19 posed another challenge for the Census Bureau to address. For the Census Bureau to discover the best course of action to take, they sought out support from JASON, an independent scientific advisory group. Originally, the Census Bureau aimed to complete the census as previously scheduled before the pandemic ensued. JASON advised against this as seen in their recommendations in a report titled, “Assessment of 2020 Census Data Quality Processes.”
“The Secretary of Commerce should order a return to a timeline that allows adequate time for complete, accurate, and transparent processing of the data,” the JASON report stated. Through collaboration between JASON and the U.S. Census Bureau, a new deadline was set leading to census data being released on April 26, 2021.
Aside from the special conditions 2020 brought to the collection of census data, general procedures still remained intact. This was especially seen in upholding the concept of usual residence. Required by the constitution, usual residence refers to counting individuals based on the place where they live and sleep most of the time as defined by the Census Bureau.
Beyond upholding usual residence rules, the Census Bureau verified that everyone in the United States is counted in the 2020 census. Between March 12-20, invitations to participate in the census were sent out to households. The invitations were then followed up by phone calls to those who did not respond. For remaining unresponsive households, the Census Bureau searched for high-quality administrative records as another means of counting them. However, if no reliable source of information existed, census takers would continue to visit households.
Through apportionment, census results carry political influence by allocating seats in the House of Representatives to states in a way that is proportional to each state’s population. Additionally, the number of seats each state gets also determines their number of votes in the Electoral College. For at least the next decade, California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia all lost one seat in the House of Representatives. Simultaneously, Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon each gained one seat while Texas gained two.
California losing one seat indicates major change in population growth as power has shifted to Texas and Florida, especially given their economic prosperity in the face of the pandemic. More affordable living, less COVID restrictions, and lower gas prices are just some of the incentives these states have that have led California businesses to relocate. Politically, California has never lost a seat in U.S history making this loss a disadvantage for the state. Not only will there be less representation for California to voice important issues, but the state will receive less votes in the Electoral College which will influence the next presidential election.
Redistricting is another action influenced by census data as legislative districts are redrawn every 10 years based on population changes described in the census. Due to delays relating to the spread of COVID-19, redistricting will begin on Aug. 16, 2021 with a full report available to the public by Sept. 30, 2021 instead of on the planned release date of March 31, 2021.
The census is also used to decide how federal funds will be distributed as explained by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). A 2019 CRS report mentions how, “the federal government is expected to provide state and local governments about $750 in federal grants encompassing a wide range of areas, such as health care, transportation, income security, education, job training, social services, community development, and environmental protection.”
Population data from the 2020 census revealed that over the last 10 years, the U.S. population experienced the second-lowest population increase of 7.4% with the lowest being 7.3% in the 1930s. Census data also showed how the Southern region experienced the greatest population growth in the U.S. with an 11.7 million increase. Statewide, Texas saw the greatest increase in population by 4.4 million people while West Virginia had the greatest decline in population of 59,000 people over the past decade.
Racial identification was ultimately implemented in the 2020 census after much debate. The Census Bureau reasoned that this data helps to, “evaluate government programs and policies to ensure that they fairly and equitably serve the needs of all racial groups and to monitor anti-discrimination laws, regulations, and policies.”
Racial demographic data revealed that 13.5-13.9% of the U.S. population is African-American. Additionally, among people of all social classes, births from 2010-2011 are significantly higher than births in 2019-2020. However, each year births of the Hispanic population have continued to be lower than the birth rate of non-Hispanic individuals. In 2019-2020, Hispanics of low socioeconomic status saw 888 births while non-Hispanics also of low socioeconomic status saw 2,854 births that same year.
As far as citizenship status goes, the 2020 census didn’t have any questions to indicate citizenship status despite a push to do so by the Trump Administration. However, the Census Bureau has proceeded to ask about citizenship on other forms such as the American Community Survey according to an article by the National Public Radio or NPR. National Desk Correspondent Hansi Lo Wang writes an article titled, “Why Is The Census Bureau Still Asking A Citizenship Question On Forms?” the reasoning behind asking citizenship questions on separate surveys. “Researchers say the responses, which will be collected through Aug. 15, can help inform any officials who may want to add the question to future census forms,” Lo Wang wrote.
From redistricting, posting population data, and distributing federal funds, to reapportionment, the 2020 census revealed important data and shifts in political power. USD staff in the political science department agree and each have their own take on 2020 census results.