STAFF REPORTS
The last ten years have seen rapid growth in Hays County, and that could translate into an additional $70.3 million for the county after the new residents have been counted in the 2010 U.S. Census, according to estimates made by the Capital Area Planning Council of Governments (CAPCOG).
Hays County’s population is estimated to have grown by roughly 54,000 people since the last Census, when only 65 percent of the estimated 35,000-plus occupied households returned their Census questionnaires.
According to an analysis by CAPCOG, each Hays County resident is worth about $1,300 in federal funding per year over the 10 years for which each Census count is used. Missing only one percent of the total estimated Hays County population during the 2010 Census could mean a loss of some $1.9 million per year in federal funding.
“We all stand to gain if we get our fair share of tax dollars back from the federal government,” said Hays County Judge Liz Sumter. “That’s why it is so important that every household be counted accurately. If we get a count that is lower than the actual number of people, we’ll be short-changing ourselves and have to end needed programs or fund them out of local tax dollars while some of ‘our’ federal funding goes to counties nationwide with accurate population counts.”
The Census, taken every 10 years (the first one took place in 1790) as required by the U.S. Constitution, is used for redistricting as well as to distribute some $400 billion in government funds nationwide each year – for health care, education, roads, etc.
During the last Census in 2000, Hays County’s total population was tallied at 97,589. Since then, the Texas State Data Center estimates the county has gained about 54,000 additional residents.
Census questionnaires have been mailed in Hays County, and on March 2 Census workers began hand-delivering forms to households that do not receive their mail at their homes. Census takers will also be sent to hand-count residences that do not respond by mail, causing additional cost.
Questionnaire Assistance Centers will be opening soon in Hays County to assist those who need help understanding or filling out their Census forms. Toll-free assistance numbers have also been set up: 1-866-872-6868 (English) and 1-866-928-2010 (Spanish).
