Miami Gets Shortchanged
Study determines Census underestimated population and income, leading to less federal funds
Carlos Miller
Anybody who has tried to work their way through the crowds during the Calle Ocho festivals knows the U.S. Census has seriously underestimated our population.
We’ve always known that the Census has underestimated the population in Miami-Dade County.
After all, anybody who has driven our streets, shopped in our malls or attended a Calle Ocho street festival will find it hard to believe that there are only 2.4 million people living here.
But now we have proof.
A recent study conducted by Miami Mayor Manny Diaz determined that in the City of Miami alone, the U.S. Census underestimated the population by 65,000 people in 2008, according to The Miami Herald.
This would bring the city’s population from the estimated 415,000 to 480,000 people.
We can only imagine how many people remain undercounted in the rest of the county.
The census also underestimated the city’s income level by $1.3 billion, which has discouraged retailers, banks and supermarkets from setting up shop in the city, according to officials.
This underestimation leads to a reduction in federal funding, an estimated loss of $2,200 per person.
The Census acknowledged that it has difficulty reaching accurate estimates in communities of immigrants and racial and ethnic minorities, many of which survive in a cash economy - income that is not reported to the government - which is one reason for the underestimation of income.
City officials also say the Census did not take into account thousands of new residents brought in by the development boom.
Posted Saturday, Oct 24, 2009 - 10:26 AM EST
