This article examines Census 2020 relative to civil rights and social equity. Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the Census is directly related to civil rights as Census totals are used to determine voting representation, and results impact billions of dollars of federal, state, and local funding across multiple areas including education, health care, and housing. Census undercounts impact marginalized communities, and this is a heightened concern for Census 2020 along two core social equity dimensions: (1) race and ethnicity, and (2) immigration and citizenship. The implementation of Census 2020 is the responsibility of public administrators and poses challenges in the areas of social equity, leadership, and administrative infrastructure.
Practitioner Points
Census 2020 matters. Data from the U.S. Census is fundamental to apportioning political power as well as more than $800 billion each year for governmental services.
In each state, population totals will determine the House of Representative seats. Every state will use population totals to redraw legislative districts, allocate resources, and provide public services.
Racial categories and undercounts have been fundamental concerns since the first U.S. Census in 1790. These undercounts pose on‐going challenges to political participation, representation, and resources.
The citizenship question controversy of Census 2020 will likely lead to lower completion levels for noncitizens.
Implementation of Census 2020 is the responsibility of public administrators, and there are important challenges relative to civil rights and social equity.