| Initial Census Reports – Biggest Losers
This week, the Census Bureau is estimating that 69% of Americans have returned their Census survey. Remember, after May 1st, the Census Bureau will start sending workers door-to-door to gather the information from those households that did not return their survey. This of course comes from the federal budget, which we all know could stand to save a few bucks. It’s not too late to get your survey mailed in.
Last week we told you about the Biggest Winners in a CNN Money report. As you may recall from last week, one benefit of population growth is the amount of federal dollars that a city can gain by the increased headcount. In addition, depending on the rest of the state, a gain in congressional seats may also occur. When looking at the losers, the opposite is true; decreases in population lead to fewer federal dollars, and the possibility exists that states could lose congressional seats.
The biggest losers in order of expected population loss are:
- New Orleans, LA – 10% population loss; state expects to lose one of its seven congressional seats. Hurricane Katrina caused the departure of nearly 25% of New Orleans’ residents following this 2005 natural disaster. Some people are moving back to the city, but it will likely be years before the population rebounds to pre-hurricane levels, if at all.
- Youngstown, OH – 7% population loss; Ohio looks to lose two of its 18 congressional seats. A declining manufacturing industry and lack of jobs are causing this, and other Ohio cities, to lose residents.
- Buffalo, NY – 4% population loss; state expects to lose 1 of its 29 seats. Buffalo is an older industrial city with their automotive manufacturing plants hit hard with the industry collapse in the second half of the decade.
- Pittsburgh, PA – 3% population loss; state could lose 1 of 19 congressional seats. An old rust belt city with declining manufacturing jobs, and an aging population.
- Cleveland, OH – 3% population loss. Another old rust belt city hit hard by the decline in manufacturing jobs.
We will continue to watch as new Census numbers are released. If you haven’t sent in your Census questionnaire, please do so now. Make sure you are counted!
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