Author: Michael Cline and Marcia Evans
The events of 2020 will affect people for years to come. Not just because a worldwide pandemic broke out but also because the U.S. Census was conducted that year. Getting a correct population count during the census is critical. The once-a-decade count produces population figures that determine political representation and the annual distribution of $2.8 trillion in federal funding and over $2.7 billion in state funding.
Given the influence of Census figures, it’s no surprise that many governments in North Carolina participated in the post-census review opportunities offered by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Post-Census Review Options & Outcomes
The Census Bureau offered two ways for jurisdictions to request a review of their 2020 counts.
- The Count Question Review (CQR) process permitted certain government entities to request review of their population count based on inaccurate boundaries or inaccurately placed housing.
- The Post-Census Group Quarter Review (PCGQR) was a new option, allowing jurisdictions to request review of group housing, particularly those that may have been affected by COVID-19 mitigation policies. This would include residences such as prisons, college dorms, and nursing homes.
Neither process allowed for a recount of people in an area. They only provided for a review of existing data and procedures. For more, see "Six Things to Know Before You Challenge 2020 Census Results."
In late January, the Census Bureau announced it had completed the CQR and PCGQR. The agency had received and evaluated nearly 200 review requests.
2020 Census Corrections in North Carolina
Among the North Carolinian jurisdictions filing CQR requests, Apex came out a winner, adding 4,811 to its population after correcting the municipal boundaries in place as of January 1, 2020. Burgaw and Goldsboro received significant changes as well. In both cases, prison facilities were erroneously reported in census blocks outside of the municipal boundaries, when in fact, the facilities were located within the municipal boundaries. There were minor changes for other municipalities and counties, including a correction in the boundaries for Davidson and Forsyth Counties. All of these changes will result in new official 2020 Census counts.
In addition, the PCGQR submissions for the cities of Greenville and Wilson were accepted in whole or in part. Due to privacy restrictions, changes in the population of group quarters facilities will not be reported in the same manner as the CQR program. Instead, corrections are reported to the U.S. Census Bureau’s population estimates branch so that they can update the 2020 population base for which the estimates are derived. These corrections do not change the official census count.
| Government Unit | Corrected Population | Corrected Housing Units | Difference in Population | Difference in Housing Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bladen County | 29,614 | 15,134 | 8 | 3 |
| Columbus County | 50,615 | 23,430 | -8 | -3 |
| Davidson County | 168,909 | 74,534 | -21 | -2 |
| Forsyth County | 382,611 | 170,178 | 21 | 2 |
| Henderson County | 116,282 | 56,435 | 1 | 1 |
| Polk County | 19,316 | 10,767 | -12 | -8 |
| Rutherford County | 64,451 | 32,448 | 7 | 4 |
| Apex, Wake County | 63,591 | 23,912 | 4,811 | 1,761 |
| Burgaw1, Pender County | 3,741 | 1,418 | 653 | 0 |
| Columbus, Polk County | 999 | 469 | -61 | -3 |
| East Arcadia, Bladen County | 421 | 199 | 3 | 1 |
| Fair Bluff, Columbus County | 707 | 416 | -2 | -1 |
| Goldsboro1, Wayne County | 34,250 | 16,213 | 593 | 0 |
| Havelock, Craven County | 16,688 | 6,590 | 67 | 45 |
| Marion, McDowell County | 7,735 | 3,151 | 18 | 9 |
| Rocky Mount2 | 54,340 | 26,167 | -1 | -1 |
| Saluda2 | 630 | 473 | -1 | -1 |
| Sandyfield, Columbus County | 433 | 176 | 3 | 0 |
| Sims, Wilson County | 307 | 145 | 32 | 16 |
| Tabor City, Columbus County | 3,787 | 1,234 | 6 | 2 |
| Tryon, Polk County | 1,546 | 952 | -16 | -8 |
| North Carolina3 | 10,439,384 | 4,708,707 | -4 | -3 |
What Does it Mean for These Jurisdictions
The CQR process does not change the 2020 figures used for determining apportionment or redistricting. However, the new official population counts will impact federal funding formulas that rely on 2020 Census counts going forward. These new totals, in combination with the corrections through the PCGQR process will also become the baseline used for the annual population estimates produced by the U.S. Census Bureau and the State Demographer in the Office of State Budget and Management. These estimates are used in funding formulas and are the basis for other statistics.
Better Data Means Preparing for the Next Census
The goal of every census is to count everyone once, only once, and in the right place. But, counting everyone is difficult even in the best of times. The U.S. Census Bureau provided limited avenues to make corrections. The best ways to ensure a complete and correct count happen before the census count occurs.
The Census Bureau has already begun to prepare for the 2030 Census and it is a good time for local jurisdictions to begin to think about ways to prepare for and promote the next census – including making sure their municipal boundaries are regularly updated (including responding to the annual U.S. Census Bureau Boundary and Annexation Survey). In addition, updating address lists and other geographic data files so that they are ready for the Local Update to Census Address (LUCA) and other programs offered by the U.S. Census Bureau leading up to the 2030 Census.
For More Information
Explore North Carolina Census data on LINC.