Whether it’s political representation, infrastructure, transportation, public education, Medicaid or Medicare, funding for those measures is largely dependent on one endeavor: the United States census, conducted once every 10 years.
In order to stress the importance of that concept, Mayor Toby Barker held a news conference Tuesday at Hattiesburg City Hall regarding what he called the most important initiative Hattiesburg will undertake for the next several years – the upcoming 2020 census, which will take place in April.
“Since 1790, this count has dictated how dollars flow and how political representation is distributed,” said Barker, who was joined by several other city and county leaders. “Our response is required by law, and the stakes have never been higher for the City of Hattiesburg and the entire region.
“Our most important mission over the next month, and throughout the spring, is to make sure that someone from every household takes 10 minutes or less to fill out their census form.”
Barker said the city was hurt in the previous census, held in 2010, because of an inaccurate count caused by a poor response to the census. Hattiesburg, which was projected to have a population of approximately 51,000, instead came in at 46,000 in that census.
As a result of that, the Hub City fell to the rank of fourth most populous city in Mississippi, down from its previous rank of third in the state.
“We did not do a good count,” Barker said. “In fact, there was not a single area in our city – not a single census tract – that had a self-response rate of over 37 percent.
“And there were consequences to that … and we remember that count this year.”
An accurate census also drives decisions in the marketplace, with business owners choosing location based on whether there is a labor force that can support that site.
“That data comes from the census,” Barker said. “Housing developments build where there are people. Retailers – that includes grocery stores, restaurants, and other entertainment – make decisions based on what the census tells them.
“So for everybody out there who has wanted a Publix or a Whole Foods or a Whataburger, this is your chance to weigh in on it.”
The 2020 census will, in large part, be conducted online, which Barker said helps ensure the privacy of each individual participating. Between March 12 and 21, residents should receive a flyer by mail regarding a self-response online, which is anticipated to go live on March 12. Paper forms also will be sent out in the coming weeks.
“You’ll be able to submit your count online, by phone, or by mail, with the greatest emphasis placed on the online form,” Barker said. “Secondly, census questions will be basic things about people living in your household.
“Your information will only be used for statistics, such as population and demographics, and it will not be shared outside of those formats. The Census Bureau will never ask for your Social Security number, your bank account information, money for donations or anything on behalf of a political party. Most importantly, your information is constitutionally protected by federal law.”
The federal government has allocated more than $675 billion per year throughout the United States, which is contingent upon an accurate count, as is the number of seats in Congress. After the 2000 census, Mississippi dropped down from five congressional seats to four.
“My encouragement is that every Hattiesburger – regardless of race, gender, education, citizen or non-citizen, age, religion or political affiliation – fill out your census,” Barker said. “Do it early and be done with it. Yes, your response is required by federal law, but it’s just the right thing to do for your city.”
