Special Censuses Could Help UC Gain More State Shared Revenue

Just released census data may not paint the true picture of Upper Cumberland growth.

UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley told the region’s mayors Wednesday counties and municipalities need to think about conducting their own special censuses to get a more accurate count.

“When you look at the change from the 2010 census, it is only showing our region growing 22,000 people and that can not be correct,” Farley said. “The one that jumps out. Overton County shows Livingston losing population and Overton County with virtually no growth.”

Overton County had just 428 new citizens counted for a 1.9 percent increase from 2010. The Upper Cumberland population as a whole went up some seven percent.

According to Farley, the in-house counting can be done in different ways. Farley said some governments can outsource the duties while others can use departments such as police or fire to conduct the census.

“We have three counties that show a lose and that is the first time that has happened,” Farley said. “(…) And we had 14 cities show a lose. That is a high number I think compared to past censuses.”

Farley said the new numbers will not change official populations but can increase state shared revenue. Farley said UCDD’s plays a part, because the organization is the certifying agency for the state.

“That may be something that you want to look at doing,” Farley said. “Especially, some of the cities that lost population.”