New Orleans wins another census challenge

[SlidellWeather]

The Census Bureau has adjusted the 2008 estimate for the city of New Orleans up by around 25,000 people. This is the second challenge won in the past two years. The old estimate was 311,853, and the new estimate is 336,644. This bumps the city up from 59th to 55th largest in the country. Current estimates by local demographers have the population somewhere between 355,000 and 365,000 people.

Article link...http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2...n_estimat.html

New Orleans' population estimate was low by 25,000, Census says
By Times-Picayune Staff
January 07, 2010, 1:58PM

After a challenge from the city, The U.S. Census Bureau has increased by nearly 25,000 its estimate of New Orleans' 2008 population. Since Hurricane Katrina scattered New Orleanians across the country, the city's population has been a matter of hot debate.

The bureau revised its 2008 estimate of the city's population from 311,853 to 336,644, according to a news release from Mayor Ray Nagin's administration. The number represents the agency's best estimate of the city population on July 1, 2008.

The adjustment marks the second time the Census Bureau has bumped up its figure after a challenge from the city. In January, the Census Bureau accepted New Orleans' challenge to the bureau's July 1, 2007, population estimate and adjusted the figure upward by nearly 50,000, from 239,124 to 288,113.

[desertpunk]

The new 2010 census is just around the corner. If the count is closer to the 311,000 figure, N.O. won't be winning many more future challenges.

[JPKneworleans]

Originally Posted by desertpunk

The new 2010 census is just around the corner. If the count is closer to the 311,000 figure, N.O. won't be winning many more future challenges.

Well, if there wasn't a reason for New Orleans to win the challenge, then it would not have. Historically, New Orleans has done well in census counts. The decennial census counts that I can recall have always exceeded the preceding years' estimates.

[desertpunk]

Originally Posted by JPKneworleans

Well, if there wasn't a reason for New Orleans to win the challenge, then it would not have. Historically, New Orleans has done well in census counts. The decennial census counts that I can recall have always exceeded the preceding years' estimates.

The point is that it makes little sense to challenge Census Bureau estimates ONE YEAR before the decennial count. If New Orleans had the right numbers, fine, but if they didn't, will they be able to come back in 2015 with another challenge?

[Aceventura]

Yearly census estimates determine how federal funds in the billions of dollars are divided annually. The changed numbers could mean millions extra for the city.

[JPKneworleans]

Originally Posted by desertpunk

The point is that it makes little sense to challenge Census Bureau estimates ONE YEAR before the decennial count. If New Orleans had the right numbers, fine, but if they didn't, will they be able to come back in 2015 with another challenge?

Hell yes they can challenge. Millions ride on the government's miscalculations, and as a result of the win, New Orleans will receive millions. Now...if only the millions would arrive AFTER the current buffoon mayor leaves office.

[desertpunk]

I guess I'm surprised that more cities don't challenge those estimates. Miami got undercounted, I know for a blood fact that El Paso got undercounted but most of the challenges I've heard of a year prior to a decennial census were over a city's status ( over 50,000; over 1,000,000 ) and often involved a special census. I'm pleased that N.O. won this round and I hope the city gets back to 400,000 soon.