NALEO: 2010 Census A Success, Although Latinos Undercounted

PRESS RELEASE

WASHINGTON DC – The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund issued the following statement regarding the release of estimates for the 2010 Census undercount and overcount numbers by the United States Census Bureau:

“Estimates released today confirm that Latinos did their part in ensuring a successful decennial census in 2010 by making their voices and numbers count. We also applaud the Census Bureau’s efforts to achieve a complete and accurate count of every person living in the United States. A 100% Census, however, remains elusive.

“Differential undercounts between non-Hispanic whites and other populations persisted in 2010. The Census Bureau today reported undercounts of Latinos (1.5%), African-Americans (2.1%), and other groups, and an overcount of non-Hispanic whites (.8%) in the 2010 Census, resulting in a net national overcount of .01%. Given the difficult economic climate leading up to the 2010 Census – with Latinos hit particularly hard by foreclosures, job-loss, and other issues that can hinder census participation – the results of this census could easily have been far worse.

“The Latino community, which now numbers more than 50.5 million in this country, deserves the most credit for making the 2010 Census a success. Had Latinos not recognized the importance of being counted, the undercount would have been much greater. The NALEO Educational Fund worked with national and local nonprofit organizations, Spanish-language media, elected officials and community leaders in the ya es hora ¡HAGASE CONTAR! (It is time—Make yourself count) campaign to ensure that the nation’s fastest growing and second largest population group was informed and motivated to participate in the 2010 enumeration. This unprecedented campaign was made possible by significant investments from foundations and the private sector.

“As the U.S. population becomes more diverse, it is increasingly important for the country to invest in funding that will allow the Census Bureau to address the undercount challenges that continue to persist within the Latino community and other hard-to-reach population groups. We look forward to working with Congress and the Census Bureau to ensure that these investments are made and that each and every Latino is counted in the 2020 Census.”

The NALEO Educational Fund is the nation’s leading non-profit organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.