Rural counties face challenges and high stakes in 2020 census

Cynthia Clark, executive director of the Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics, chuckles while addressing the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee.
Cara Brumfield, senior policy analyst Georgetown University Center on Poverty and Inequality, is in the background. Photo by Leon Lawrence III
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County NewsWith nearly $900 billion in annual federal funding at stake, an accurate census is crucial to any county. But with harder to reach residents and limited internet connectivity — when the Census Bureau wants to prioritize online responses — rural counties face additional challenges to getting a complete count.Rural counties face challenges and high stakes in 2020 census
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County News Article
Rural counties face challenges and high stakes in 2020 census
With nearly $900 billion in annual federal funding at stake, an accurate census is crucial to any county. But with harder to reach residents and limited internet connectivity — when the Census Bureau wants to prioritize online responses — rural counties face additional challenges to getting a complete count. More than 60 programs — totalling roughly $30 billion — driven by census data are exclusively for rural areas.
“Accurate information is needed to make sound decisions about these programs,” said Cara Brumfield, senior policy analyst Georgetown University Center on Poverty and Inequality.
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SNAP, for instance, allocates $71 billion per year based on census data.
“If the census data are inaccurate because certain groups are undercounted, especially if groups that are concentrated in certain communities are undercounted, that’s going to put those communities at a disadvantage,” she said. “They’re not going to get their fair share of federal dollars.”
Census data determine regional eligibility for programs including rental assistance programs, loan programs, direct payments and the National School Lunch program.
“So much money is on the line and now we understand the characteristics of our communities and what they need all depends on how accurate this data is,” Brumfield said.
The Census Bureau is aiming for 55 percent of residents to reply to the census online, but Brumfield said rural areas, particularly without reliable internet will be mailed traditional census forms.
With nearly $900 billion in annual federal funding at stake, an accurate census is crucial to any county.2019-03-02County News Article2019-08-23
With nearly $900 billion in annual federal funding at stake, an accurate census is crucial to any county. But with harder to reach residents and limited internet connectivity — when the Census Bureau wants to prioritize online responses — rural counties face additional challenges to getting a complete count. More than 60 programs — totalling roughly $30 billion — driven by census data are exclusively for rural areas.
“Accurate information is needed to make sound decisions about these programs,” said Cara Brumfield, senior policy analyst Georgetown University Center on Poverty and Inequality.
Learn More
SNAP, for instance, allocates $71 billion per year based on census data.
“If the census data are inaccurate because certain groups are undercounted, especially if groups that are concentrated in certain communities are undercounted, that’s going to put those communities at a disadvantage,” she said. “They’re not going to get their fair share of federal dollars.”
Census data determine regional eligibility for programs including rental assistance programs, loan programs, direct payments and the National School Lunch program.
“So much money is on the line and now we understand the characteristics of our communities and what they need all depends on how accurate this data is,” Brumfield said.
The Census Bureau is aiming for 55 percent of residents to reply to the census online, but Brumfield said rural areas, particularly without reliable internet will be mailed traditional census forms.
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Agriculture & Rural Affairs Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to USDA agriculture, rural development programs, rural renewable energy development, research and extension, food safety, and conservation programs. Policy Platform 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to USDA agriculture, rural development programs, rural renewable energy development, research and extension, food safety, and conservation programs. </p>
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The Rural Action Caucus (RAC) is a key component of NACo's mission in supporting county officials in the pursuit of excellence in public service. RAC is the voice for America's rural counties, which represent two-thirds of the nation's 3,069 counties designated as rural, serving a combined population of 60 million.pagepagepage<p><strong>Since 1997, the Rural Action Caucus (RAC) has represented the nearly 70 percent of America's counties that are rural, addressing critical federal, state and local issues impacting these unique communities.
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