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Census undercount?
This week, the Census Bureau released preliminary population figures for Rappahannock County. The figures indicate that the county’s population has increased seven percent, or 470 people, during the past decade.
We share County Administrator John McCarthy’s skepticism over the numbers.
As Mr. McCarthy observed, anyone who has lived in Rappahannock County during the past few years would find it difficult to believe that the county’s net population growth is less than 500 people. Though some have left, from the amount of new construction, particularly during the past few years, it seems as though many more people have arrived.
And, the numbers represent far more than a periodic updating of the area’s demographics.
As Mr. McCarthy pointed out, the official Census Bureau population count is used by in a myriad of formulas at the local, state and federal level to arrive at figures for funding the public schools, highway improvements and many other programs. And the demographic distribution of population can be used in determining whether areas receive money for housing assistance, public water and sewer, and similar public projects.
During the count, Census Bureau officials estimated that each person not counted costs a locality $400 in government aid each year — a total of $4,000 per person over the 10 year life of the Census figures.
We hope that the county will carefully consider its options — including contesting the count if officials feel there is evidence to indicate an undercount. The census process allows localities 15 days to file an appeal if there is any doubt about the validity of the preliminary figures just reported.
If the numbers don’t add up, we urge the county to appeal. There is too much at stake to accept questionable numbers.
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