An accurate count in the upcoming 2020 Census is incredibly important for Tennessee. In hopes of increasing response rates when the forms go out in mid-March, the Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs has announced a “Tennessee Counts” grant program.

New population estimates show Tennessee still is the 16th most populous state, but it’s now within 63,000 of No. 15 Massachusetts after growing at a 0.85% rate last year.

In October, we released the 2018-2070 Boyd Center Population Projections. To help facilitate both access analysis, we published a new population projections dashboard earlier this month.

Those helping to promote and raise awareness of the 2020 Census received some important information in November. The Census Bureau published a map showing how households will be invited to participate in the census next March.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development  launched a new website aimed at promoting investment in the state’s 176 census tracts designated as opportunity zones (OZ) – areas where long-term investments can benefit low-income communities.

Thanks to everyone across the state who gathered in Nashville on October 22nd for our 2019 Conference. We had a great turnout with about a 100 people in attendance throughout the day. Slide decks from all our presenters have been posted to the website.

The US census will take place on April 1, 2020, and a UT expert says it’s important for everyone—including college students—to be counted.

The new projections incorporate the latest births, deaths and current population estimates to update the projections last released in 2017.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the appointment of 38 representatives to the Tennessee Complete Count Committee for the 2020 Census last month. The committee includes representatives from state and local government, elected officials and other local interests who can help raise awareness of the upcoming Census and reach hard to count population.

The 2019 version of the KIDS COUNT, The State of the Child in Tennessee report was recently released by the Tennessee Commission on Child and Youth. The KIDS COUNT resources include an outstanding collection of data and policy directions in a report outlining strategies to benefit children and families. It also includes a county-profile showing a ranking for each county in the state.