Watauga has 'hard-to-count' population
by Scott Nicholson
Watauga County has an "elevated" risk of its residents not mailing in their U.S. Census forms, which are hitting local mailboxes this week.
According to an analysis by Democracy North Carolina, a nonpartisan advocacy group promoting voter participation, Watauga County is ranked 50th in the state for having a "hard-to-count" population and is ranked near the bottom third of counties likely to have low mail responses.
The census forms are important in determining U.S. House of Representative seats, legislative redistricting and the disbursement of $400 billion in annual federal funding. The data is also used for placement of hospitals, schools, public transportation and roads.
According to an analysis by Democracy North Carolina, a nonpartisan advocacy group promoting voter participation, Watauga County is ranked 50th in the state for having a "hard-to-count" population and is ranked near the bottom third of counties likely to have low mail responses.
The census forms are important in determining U.S. House of Representative seats, legislative redistricting and the disbursement of $400 billion in annual federal funding. The data is also used for placement of hospitals, schools, public transportation and roads.