The Census is a complete enumeration of the population – a count of everybody. And it’s kinda a big deal as it ties directly to some $450 billion in federal distributions. The resulting all-in headcount drives budgets, legislative redistricting and funding projects such as highway construction, schools and health facilities. It is important to fill in and get counted. This is why America’s mailboxes have been filled with the actual Census form and curtly worded reminders to fill it in or else! And we have been equally blessed with the Census Bureau’s truly awful television campaign to help promote the participation (DVR thankfully reduces much of this pain). Regardless, it’s important and in the famous words of a much better advertising campaign – “Just Do It.”
The Census is very useful for us at RelocateAmerica as it provides accurate population data that we use in our Top100 Best Places to Live and various other reports. The information allows us to measure relocation patterns, such as those referenced in this Brookings Institute posting on Yahoo. The report headlines some consistent relocation pattern information about where the population is moving to and where it is moving away, based on the changes since the 2000 Census.
Moving In:
Dallas – Fort Worth, TX
Houston, TX
Austin, TX
Raleigh, NC
Provo-Orem, UT
Moving Out:
Detroit, MI
Youngstown, OH
New Orleans, LA
Summary
In a nutshell, population growth is based on several factors, employment being one of the strongest factors. And with the strong employment trends, positive: Texas, North Carolina and Utah and negative: Michigan, Louisiana and Pennsylvania, it is not too surprising to see the growth follow the old fishing axiom: fish where the fish are.
In this case, fish = jobs. And fish also = more federal funding.
Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!