2020 Census data collection concluded on October 16 and attention now turns to the delivery of results. We’re awaiting final confirmation of release dates for two important products:
- Statewide population totals (Congressional apportionment counts), delivered as close as possible to the December 31, 2020, deadline.
- P.L. 94-171 Redistricting data with population counts for counties, municipalities, census tracts, etc., delivered as close as possible to the April 1, 2021, deadline.
However, there is growing uncertainty about the timeline. A November 19 statement from the Census Bureau noted that processing challenges had been encountered. There is not official word on delays that could result.
One thing that is certain–delivery of the 2020 TIGER/Line Shapefiles should be completed by February 28, 2021.
State and local government agencies use redistricting data for a variety of activities beyond drawing new political districts. Here’s a reminder of the variables included in the redistricting data product:
- Total population
- Voting age population and citizen voting age population (new)
- Race and Hispanic ethnicity
- Housing units (occupied/vacant)
A preview of Tennessee’s July 1, 2020, population will come next month on December 22 when the 2020 Evaluation Estimates are released. These state-level numbers will be compared with the 2020 Census results to evaluate accuracy of the annual population estimates program. The estimates missed the 2010 Census total of 6,346,105 residents by -0.3% or -19,702 people.