Utah Still Considering Challenge of Census Figures

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) For years, population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau have lagged in comparison to what state officials believe is Utah's true size. State demographer Robert Spendlove says Utah is still considering becoming the first to launch an official statewide challenge of the Census estimates:

"We and the Census Bureau don't want to go through a formal challenge," says Spendlove. "If possible we'd like to resolve it any other way. And that's what we're working on now, we're looking at some of the Census Bureau's methods and hope the next estimates will be more accurate."

There's about a 65,000 person difference between Utah's population as estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau and the figure settled on by the state's top demographers. But a challenge could be time-consuming and costly. Spendlove now hopes the Census Bureau's new monthly American Community Survey will provide more accurate data to narrow the gap between federal and state population estimates.

However, an official state challenge is still an option. In recent years, cities and counties throughout Utah have routinely made their own challenges to Census estimates in order to qualify for more federal funding.

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