Ten years ago, when the United States census circulated around Crown Heights, Crown Heights had a grossly underwhelming response rate of less than a 40%.  (In comparison, the response rate for Kings County was 51%, New York State was 63% and  the United States was 67%).

So what happened ten years ago in Crown Heights? There are many factors that contribute to underreporting.  Immigrant communities, such as Crown Heights, are particularly susceptible to underreporting as are poorer communities.

Many do not understand just how important census results are.  Census results determine how federal and state funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and much more.  They determine how political representation gets apportioned on the federal, state and local levels.  And many businesses make determinations on where they should or should not open based on demographic data that they cull from census results.

Unfortunately, as USA Today reports, census responses are expected to dip even further nation-wide in 2010 due to a number of factors including foreclosures, and a growing distrust of the government.

Fortunately, we’ve already started to see get out the count type initiatives creep up around the neighborhood.  Hopefully, next year will not be a repeat of ten years ago.

Popularity: 2% [?]