Explained: The Risks Facing the 2020 Census

Why some experts are very concerned that Census 2020 will fail the democracy that depends on it.

1 minute read

February 6, 2018, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A video explainer produced by Vox begins with the assumption that the decennial census is the catalyst for many of the processes at the foundation of U.S. democracy. That fact sets the stakes for more expert voices raising concerns that the 2020 Census is at risk of failing its intended purposes.

According to the video, the story of the 2020 Census begins with the 2010 Census, which ballooned in cost to a record and provoked the ire of cost-cutting congressional representatives, which set a cap on the amount of funding the 2020 Census can receive from the federal government. The problem with the cap, according to the video, is that it's getting harder and more expensive to make an accurate count in some parts of the country.

The video also tackles the controversial addition of a question that asks about citizenship, which could further lower participation rates.

This isn't the first alarm sounded about the possibility that Census 2020 is doomed to failure. The NAACP has sued the Trump Administration on the grounds that the latter is not making good-faith efforts to reach "hard-to-count" populations, and an article for Brookings raises similar points about Census 2020. See Planetizen's complete Census 2020 coverage here.

Monday, February 5, 2018 in YouTube

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing