Small, expected census inaccuracy cheats Americans

“For instance, it’s acceptable that the Latino population in the U.S. will be undercounted by 2.5 percent. In fact, it’s expected. The white population is overcounted by the same percentage. The mistake always fluctuates within a few points of an ideal count.

The consequence of the 2.5 percent undercount (a 5 percent aggregate undercount when the white overcount is taken into account) is important to mention. The hardest people to count are those who live in dire poverty or constant motion. It’s the same population that has the most to lose in terms of government attention.

The problem is compounded when the people who are most affected by a census undercount (the poor, the homeless, the undocumented) are the ones who are not being counted.”

Stumble it! | |