The Affect of an Undercount on Local Communities

Census 2000 Education Kit

The Affect of an Undercount on Local Communities

Real People Missed By The Census Means Real Financial Losses For Local Communities

The failure of the 1990 census to count accurately the nation's population seriously shortchanged many cities across the nation in the level of the federal and state funds they received. In effect, because these cities didn't realize their fare share of federal and state monies, they were required to utilize their own funds for schools, roads, health facilities, housing, and other important services for people that were not counted by the census. In addition, the distribution of the available funds in their cities disproportionately shortchanged neighborhoods populated by the poor and people of color.

While no national data exist on the entire fiscal impact of the census undercount on local communities, some areas have calculated how many resources they were shortchanged as a result of the 1990 undercount and/or how much they might lose if the 2000 census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as the 1990 census. Some of these calculations are listed below to demonstrate that when real people are missed by the decennial census, their communities suffer real financial losses.

ARKANSAS

Fayetteville
As a result of the 1990 undercount, Fayetteville lost $581,401 in just state funds during the 1990's. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

CALIFORNIA

Anaheim
As a result of the 1990 undercount, Anaheim lost $1,587,619 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. If the 2000 Census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as that of the 1990 census, the estimated loss in federal and state funds in the first decade of the 21st Century is $2,804, 915. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

Bell
"The 12,000 to 15,000 missed residents therefore represent a possible loss in funding to the City of at least $6.7 million or more during the intercensal period 1990-2000."Affidavit of Robert A. Rizzo, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Bell, included in Affidavits in Support of Motion to Intervene as Defendants of Intervenors City of Los Angeles, et al. in Glavin, et al., v. Clinton, et al. (98-207A)

Gardena
"The total acknowledged undercount...represents a potential loss in funding of approximately $94,965, annually." Affidavit of Kathy Ikari, Community Development Director, City of Gardena, included in Affidavits in Support of Motion to Intervene as Defendants of Intervenors City of Los Angeles, et al. in Glavin, et al., v. Clinton, et al. (98-207A)

Inglewood
"Multiplying the 1990 undercount of 13,748 by the $70.00 per year in population-based funds illustrates the magnitude of the potential fiscal loss to Inglewood: $962,360 per year and $9,623,600 over a decade." Affidavit of Jacquelynne Jones-Corby, Interim Administrative Officer, City of Inglewood, included in Affidavits in Support of Motion to Intervene as Defendants of Intervenors City of Los Angeles, et al. in Glavin, et al., v. Clinton, et al. (98-207A)

Long Beach
As a result of the 1990 undercount, Long Beach lost between $10-15,000,000 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

Los Angeles
As a result of the 1990 undercount, Los Angeles lost $120,000,000 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. If the 2000 Census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as that of the 1990 census, the estimated loss in federal and state funds in the first decade of the 21st Century is $227,000,000. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

Oakland
"According to a study of federal funding in 1990, it was estimated that each miscounted person represented a loss of about $56 per year. The 20,527 missed residents therefore represent a possible loss in funding to the City of at least $11,000,000 or more during the intercensal period 1990-2000. Affidavit of Robert C. Bobb, City Manager, City of Oakland, included in Affidavits in Support of Motion to Intervene as Defendants of Intervenors City of Los Angeles, et al. in Glavin, et al., v. Clinton, et al. (98-207A)

San Francisco
As a result of the 1990 undercount, San Francisco lost $20,520,000 in just state funds during the 1990's. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

San Jose
"An analysis conducted in 1990 disclosed that the City receives approximately $90 per person, per year, from state and federal funds allocated through population formulas." The 1990 net undercount for San Jose was 19,048. Based on the figure presented above, San Jose lost $17,143,200 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. Affidavit of James R. Derryberry, Director of Planning, City of San Jose included in Affidavits in Support of Motion to Intervene as Defendants of Intervenors City of Los Angeles, et al. in Glavin, et al., v. Clinton, et al. (98-207A)

Santa Clara County
"For Santa Clara County the reported error has caused significant financial consequences on the programs that service those living in poverty. The amount the County receives from State and Federal funding sources is conservatively estimated at $150 annually for each County resident. The undercount which occurred in the 1990 census deprived Santa Clara County of approximately $49.3 million over a ten year period." Affidavit of Gary Graves, Deputy County Executive, Santa Clara County of Budget and Analysis included in Affidavits in Support of Motion to Intervene as Defendants of Intervenors City of Los Angeles, et al. in Glavin, et al., v. Clinton, et al. (98-207A)

FLORIDA

St. Petersburg As a result of the 1990 undercount, St. Petersburg lost $1,300,000 in just federal funds during the 1990's. If the 2000 Census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as that of the 1990 census, the estimated loss in just federal funds in the first decade of the 21st Century is $1,300,000. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

Pembroke Pines
If the 2000 Census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as that of the 1990 census, the estimated loss in federal and state funds in the first decade of the 21st Century for Pembroke Pines will be $7,612,500. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

ILLINOIS

Chicago
As a result of the 1990 undercount, Chicago lost over $184,440,000 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. If the 2000 Census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as that of the 1990 census, the estimated loss in federal and state funds in the first decade of the 21st Century is $184,440,000. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999. INDIANA Lafayette As a result of the 1990 undercount, Lafayette lost over $40,000 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

KANSAS

Kansas City
As a result of the 1990 undercount, Kansas City lost over $950,000 in just state funds during the 1990's. If the 2000 Census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as that of the 1990 census, the estimated loss in just state funds in the first decade of t he 21st Century is $950,000. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

KENTUCKY

Covington
As a result of the 1990 undercount, Covington lost over $13,000,000 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. If the 2000 Census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as that of the 1990 census, the estimated loss in federal and state funds in the first decade of the 21st Century is $22,700,000. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

MICHIGAN

Detroit
"...an uncorrect undercount of the magnitude measured in 1990 would cost Detroit about $5.4 million per year, or $54 million for the decade." Affidavit of Patricia Becker, Consultant, City of Detroit, included in Affidavits in Support of Motion to Intervene as Defendants of Intervenors City of Los Angeles, et al. in Glavin, et al., v. Clinton, et al. (98-207A)

MINNESOTA

Minneapolis
As a result of the 1990 undercount, Minneapolis lost over $8,800,000 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. If the 2000 Census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as that of the 1990 census, the estimated loss in federal and state funds in the first decade of the 21st Century is $8,800,000. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

MISSOURI

St. Joseph
As a result of the 1990 undercount, St. Joseph lost over $40,000,000 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. If the 2000 Census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as that of the 1990 census, the estimated loss in federal and state funds in the first decade of the 21st Century is $80,000,000. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

NEVADA

Henderson
As a result of the 1990 undercount, Henderson lost over $4,000,000 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. If the 2000 Census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as that of the 1990 census, the estimated loss in federal and state funds in the first decade of the 21st Century is $12,000,000. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999. Figures estimate dollars lost if the Census Bureau had not adjusted the City's population to reflect the undercount.

NEW JERSEY

Hudson County
"Every county resident uncounted in the 2000 census represents $10,674 lost federal and state aid." County Executive Robert C. Janiszewski as reported by The Associated Press in The Bergen Record, "Hudson group seeks accurate census" February 2, 1998. In 1990, the net undercount in Hudson County was 16,159 people.

NEW MEXICO

Roswell
As a result of the 1990 undercount, Roswell lost over $4,000,000 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. If the 2000 Census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as that of the 1990 census, the estimated loss in federal and state funds in the first decade of the 21st Century is $5,000,000. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

NEW YORK New

York City
As a result of the 1990 undercount, New York City lost over $415,302,084 in just federal funds during the 1990's. From Comptrollers Reports for Fiscal Years 1991-1997, projections for 1998-2000 (based on estimated undercount of 450,000).

OHIO

Cincinnati
As a result of the 1990 undercount, Cincinnati lost over $40,000,000 in federal and state funds during the 1990's."The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999. Figures reflect the amount that would have been lost had the undercount in the preliminary estimate not been adjusted.

Youngstown
As a result of the 1990 undercount, Youngstown lost over $3,230,000 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. If the 2000 Census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as that of the 1990 census, the estimated loss in federal and state funds in the first decade of the 21st Century is $3,230,000. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

OREGON

"[Barry] Edmonston estimated that more than 50,000 Oregon residents were missed in the 1990 census, and that in 2000 the Ôundercount' could be as high as 75,000 if statistical sampling is not used...He estimated Oregon has lost out on about $3 million annually since 1990." Gwenda Richards Oshiro."Oregon agency says miscount would hurt," in The Oregonian Ñ Quoting Barry Edmonston, Director, Portland State University, Center for Population Research and Census. January 26, 1999. SOUTH

SOUTH CAROLINA

Charleston
As a result of the 1990 undercount, Charleston lost over $1,000,000 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

TEXAS

State of Texas The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has estimated that the 1990 undercount, over the decade of the nineties, will cost Texas $1.87 billion in federal funds to which the state is rightfully entitled." Affidavit of Roy. E. Morey, Division Director of the Litigation Technical Support Division for the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, included in Affidavits in Support of Motion to Intervene as Defendants of Intervenors City of Los Angeles, et al. in Glavin, et al., v. Clin ton, et al. (98-207A)

McAllen
As a result of the 1990 undercount, McAllen lost over $10,600,000 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. If the 2000 Census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as that of the 1990 census, the estimated loss in federal and state funds in the firs t decade of the 21st Century is $24,526,342. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.

San Antonio
"The Bureau's failure to include and adjust the City's 1990 Census of Population based on the PES undercount of 38,166 has had significant financial impacts for the City...the City's estimated revenue loss during the time period 1990-2000 is approximately $21.3 million." Affidavit of Jesus H. Garza, Planning Manager, Department of Planning, City of San Antonio included in Affidavits in Support of Motion to Intervene as Defendants of Intervenors City of Los Angeles, et al. in Glavin, et al., v. Clinton, et al. (98-207A)

WASHINGTON

Spokane
As a result of the 1990 undercount, Spokane lost over $13,339,000 in federal and state funds during the 1990's. If the 2000 Census maintains the same level of inaccuracy as that of the 1990 census, the estimated loss in federal and state funds in the first decade of the 21st Century is $15,375,000. "The Fiscal Impact of the Census Undercount on Cities," U.S. Conference of Mayors. January 1999.