The federal government’s role in annually dispensing hundreds of billions of dollars to state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individuals is highly visible and political, with substantial economic impact in every corner of the nation.
It has been understood for some time that a substantial proportion of federal domestic assistance is distributed on the basis of population data gathered through the decennial census, the once-a-decade headcount mandated by the Constitution and managed by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The appropriateness and fairness of the geographic distribution of federal assistance over the coming decade depends on the accuracy of 2010 Census, which takes place this coming April 1.
However, a rigorous determination of the extent to which the geographic distribution of federal assistance relies on decennial census data has not been carried out. Moreover, the absence of dependable subnational data means that state and local efforts to encourage census participation are not as effective as they might otherwise be.
The Counting for Dollars Project aims to build a more current, accurate national estimate of census-guided federal funding; supply similar estimates for states and large metro areas and counties; and provide an understanding of the dynamics behind the figures. The result could stimulate increased participation and greater accuracy in the 2010 Census.
The benefits of an accurate census go well beyond equitable federal funds flows. They include fair congressional apportionment, more intelligent public policy at all government levels, and a stronger economy.
The next section offers background on federal domestic assistance, the decennial census, previous efforts to estimate the impact of the latter on the former, and the rationale for this effort. The sections following discuss methodology, findings, and implications for efforts to increase census participation. Over 300 state and local funding tables, as well as a reference document, are provided through the following links:
http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/reports/2010/0309_census_dollars/0309_census_report.pdf
The NRFU phase, which stands for “Non-Response Follow-Up,” is the last in the Census process and represents the final push to collect Census information. The NRFU campaign encourages households who have not returned their Census form to welcome and cooperate with the Census taker that may knock on their door. Messaging for the NRFU campaign assures all that Census takers are sworn to secrecy and that they are there to help.
The NRFU phase, which stands for “Non-Response Follow-Up,” is the last in the Census process and represents the final push to collect Census information. The NRFU campaign encourages households who have not returned their Census form to welcome and cooperate with the Census taker that may knock on their door. Messaging for the NRFU campaign assures all that Census takers are sworn to secrecy and that they are there to help.
The NRFU phase, which stands for “Non-Response Follow-Up,” is the last in the Census process and represents the final push to collect Census information. The NRFU campaign encourages households who have not returned their Census form to welcome and cooperate with the Census taker that may knock on their door. Messaging for the NRFU campaign assures all that Census takers are sworn to secrecy and that they are there to help.
The NRFU phase, which stands for “Non-Response Follow-Up,” is the last in the Census process and represents the final push to collect Census information. The NRFU campaign encourages households who have not returned their Census form to welcome and cooperate with the Census taker that may knock on their door. Messaging for the NRFU campaign assures all that Census takers are sworn to secrecy and that they are there to help.
The NRFU phase, which stands for “Non-Response Follow-Up,” is the last in the Census process and represents the final push to collect Census information. The NRFU campaign encourages households who have not returned their Census form to welcome and cooperate with the Census taker that may knock on their door. Messaging for the NRFU campaign assures all that Census takers are sworn to secrecy and that they are there to help.
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