The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 16 million people were not counted in the 2010 census. An undercount in the 2020 census could be costly for Texas. In fact, the Texas Demographic Center estimates that missing just 1% of the population could mean $300 million of lost federal funds for communities in the Lone Star State.
The Texas residents most likely to be missed in the 2020 census are minorities, as minority communities have been undercounted in the past. According to The Leadership Conference Education Fund, about 7% of young African American children were not counted in the 2010 census, and one-third of the Hispanic population in the U.S. lives in difficult-to-count areas. A recent survey showed that only 55% of Asian Americans said they were extremely or very likely to fill out the census form, compared to 68% of all Americans.
As a REALTOR®, you can help ensure the 2020 census is inclusive of everyone. Visit texasrealestate.com/2020census for outreach materials you can use that are specific to hard-to-count communities and other materials to share with all Texans about the importance of the census.
The census counts every person living in the United States regardless of their country of origin or immigration status. All 2020 census responses are kept confidential and private, and responses cannot be shared or used against you by any government agency or court.