EVENT RECAP | November 2024
Census Roundtable Discussion in The Metroplex
With a population of 8.5 million people, the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex is currently the nation’s 4th largest region and growing at a rapid pace.
As home base for the Texas Census Institute, we know this area is unique and diverse, and census data sheds light on many of populations and patterns that are driving growth. To explore these data further, TxCI co-hosted a Metroplex Roundtable with the North Texas Commission to discuss the significance of the census in North Texas from a regional perspective.
Did you know?
Texas missed over 500,000 people in the 2020 Census, resulting in over $25 billion in lost federal funding in the decade between counts. This includes:
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- A 124,000-person undercount in Dallas County, leading to a $5 billion loss over 10 years.
- A 34,000-person undercount in Tarrant County, resulting in a $1.6 billion loss over 10 years.
Over 1.2 million people in the Metroplex region (14.9% of the population) live in Historically Undercounted Communities, making advance planning for ennumeration critically important.
To improve future census outcomes for the Metroplex, we invited our friends from the US Census Bureau, regional policymakers, and local representatives from the 2020 Texas Counts campaign to share lessons learned and discuss ways to strengthen regional efforts.
Hosts and Speakers
Angela Broyes, President & CEO, Texas Census Institute – LinkedIn
Chris Wallace, President & CEO, North Texas Commission – LinkedIn
Christie Hernandez, Field Partnership Specialist, US Census Bureau – LinkedIn
Key Takeaways:
Nonpartisanship is essential: The 2030 Census is too important to be tied to any particular political party or platform. We need broad support from across the political spectrum to drive engagement.
Political representation and economic development are at risk in the Metroplex: Attendees reflected on the need to ensure our local policymakers understand the loss of representation and federal funding that is the result of undercounting. The Metroplex would have gained an additional seat in the US House of Representatives had we counted our population accurately.
City governments need research and data support to drive budgeting and better policy for census engagement: Not only do they need regionally focused research and data, they need it well in advance of budgeting cycles to ensure there is time to negotiate and plan for optimal vendor engagement.
Event Material
For more information about the event or our work, please contact Angela Broyles, angela@texascensus.org.
