By Michael Ge
Following a report published on Thursday, March 10, United States Census Bureau has admitted that it undercounted Black, Latino, and Native Americans during the 2020 Census. On the other hand, non-Hispanic white and Asian Americans were overcounted. This report raises serious questions about the accuracy of the 2020 Census and what can be done to improve the census for 2030.
The undercount can be explained as the result of COVID-19 and the meddling of the Trump administration. The Trump administration ended the census early as well as attempted to modify privacy protections. This was compounded by people not wanting to talk face to face with a Census Bureau worker at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This report could offer an explanation as to why Texas and Florida only gained one congressional district despite previous estimates expecting them to gain at least two, the failure of Arizona to gain one congressional district, and New York narrowly losing out on one district by just 89 people. All of these states have populations where racial minorities comprise a large part of their state’s population.Â
Now the Census Bureau must take steps towards a more accurate census come 2030. Some solutions could include using other sources of publicly available data and other outside sources, such as utility records could lead to a more accurate census. Of course, any potential solutions or information must protect the privacy of individuals as well as make sure that it is accurate.Â
