FPS staff report
March 9, 2010

The 2010 census will determine the amount of state and federal funding communities receive for the next decade. More than $400 billion each year is allocated to states based on census data. The Brookings Institution estimates that for every 100 people not counted, Ohio could lose approximately $1.2 million over the next decade. In addition to funding, Ohio could lose as many as two Congressional seats.

Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown released a county-by-county estimate this week showing how much funding is at stake under different census count scenarios. Census counts determine funding for education, community development, transportation, workforce development, economic development, food banks, home heating assistance, and many other critical programs.

Brown’s information, titled “The Census: What’s at Stake,” is based on 2000 population figures and shows the estimated 10-year loss of federal funds due to undercount scenarios. Carroll County’s 2000 population was 28,836. Using that number, if there is a two percent undercount in 2010, Carroll County could lose $6,920,640. With a three percent undercount, the county could lose $10,380,960.

With a five percent undercount, the county could lose $17,301,600.

Census forms should begin arriving in mailboxes March 15-17. Residents are urged to complete the form and return it in the postage paid envelope that is provided. The form includes 10 questions, such as name, sex, date of birth, Hispanic origin, race, household relationship and if you rent or own your home.

Census officials are asking residents to use April 1, which is National Census Day, as a point of reference to send their completed forms back in the mail. During the months of April through July, Census takers will visit households that did not return a form by mail. In December 2010, the Census Bureau will deliver population information to President Barrack Obama for apportionment. In March 2011, the Census Bureau will complete delivery of redistricting data to the individual states.

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