Some States Are More Difficult for an Accurate Census Count Than Others

Fear and misconception make the Census count more difficult in some parts of the country—like the state of Georgia.

1 minute read

August 3, 2019, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Martin Luther King, Jr. Park

By Kristi Blokhin / Shutterstock

"For the 2020 Census, 4.5 million children live in areas that are hard-to-count," reports Roxanne Scott.

That finding comes from a recent Urban Institute report on the risks of miscounting the 2020 Census. Writing from the state of Georgia, Scott's interest is in the difficulties of counting children in Georgia, which is one of the states with the highest risk of undercounting children.

Locally, about one-third of Fulton County’s population resides in an area that’s hard-to-count. And nearly 40 percent of Dekalb County’s population live in such neighborhoods.

Statewide, 22 percent of Georgia’s population live in hard-to-count areas.

The article has more information on steps already underway in Georgia to ensure an accurate count.

Thursday, August 1, 2019 in WABE

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