Florida TaxWatch Examines Impact of an Incomplete Census Count of Florida’s Children

Tallahassee, Fla. - Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) releasedFlorida TaxWatch Census Commentary - Advancing Florida's Children Issues Begins with a Complete Census Count. Census data is the basis of socio-economic and demographic estimates that can be used to identify the needs of specific communities. Moreover, the census count is used to determine the allocation of funding for more than 300 federal programs. Building on aJuly 2022 Florida TaxWatch commentary, Looking Back at Census 2020: What Florida's Business and Community Leaders Need to Know, this primer examines Florida's history of census undercounts, the impact of an undercount on young children, and considerations to support the 2030 Census.

Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro said, "Florida's census undercount results in federal funding allocations that are not commensurate with Florida's population size, forcing the state to strain the use of taxpayer dollars to cover a larger population than intended. If the state undergoes extenuating circumstances that result in emergency federal funding - such as pandemics and natural disasters - the loss of dollars will be close to $21 billion. In 2030, Florida needs a complete census count to better support one of its most vulnerable populations: young children."

Florida has a longstanding history of census undercounts, with the 2020 Census undercount as the state's most significant loss in decades, with an estimated 750,000 Floridians, or 3.48 percent, not recorded. Additionally, Florida's undercount of young children, specifically ages 0-4, is especially troubling. Florida has the largest net coverage error of young children, with an estimated 113,000 young children, or 9.87 percent, not recorded.

To illustrate the drastic impacts of the census undercount on federal funding that support the needs of vulnerable children, Florida TaxWatch reviews the funding formulas and considers the potential dollars lost to two federal assistance programs critical to the wellbeing and long-term positive outcomes of children. The undercount has an estimated fiscal loss of $460 million intended to fund the children's Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) needs and $9.2 million intended for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), with similar losses anticipated each year.

As the 2030 Census approaches, Florida TaxWatch encourages Floridians to take action to encourage full participation by 1) staying up to date on census-related issues, 2) acting as a trusted messenger, 3) lending their voice, and 4) investing in the community through grassroots efforts or philanthropic organizations that support achieving a complete census count.

To learn more and access the full report, please click here.

About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute for more than forty years and the trusted eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on taxpayers and businesses. FTW is supported by its membership via voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled FTW to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the taxpayers it has served since 1979. For more information, please visit www.floridataxwatch.org.