Census Undercount, by renter status

Undercount problems persisted for renters in the 2020 Census count.

Net coverage error by renter/owner status, U.S.

Percent of under- and overcounts, 1990-2020 Census

Source: Census Bureau Post-Enumeration Survey (PES). Notes: *Net coverage error is statistically significantly different from 0.

For decades, the decennial census has undercounted renters and overcounted property owners. Because the census serves as the basis for political representation as well as the distribution of $1.5 Trillion in federal funding, this has resulted in communities with more renters receiving less funding and political influence than communities with more owners.¹

The differential undercount of renters in the 2020 Census increased to 1.5%, up from 1.1% in 2010, according to the Post-Enumeration Survey, a Census Bureau field test of census accuracy. Both decades represented drastic improvements from the 1990 Census when the undercount of renters reached 4.5%. The overcount of property owners edged down to 0.4% in 2020 from 0.6% in 2010.

The U.S. Census Bureau explained that “many (renters) are young and mobile, multicultural, or low-income. They can also be hard to reach due to physical barriers [in apartment buildings, for example].”² Still, it is important for the Census Bureau to get an accurate count of renters to ensure fair representation and federal benefits.

The two Constitutional use cases for census data, apportionment and redistricting, are completed. But Census Bureau Director Robert Santos has announced new investment and a research effort to improve the Population Estimates Program, the annual updated population numbers which help determine the distribution of that $1.5 Trillion in federal funds.^3,4 This effort could begin to mitigate not only the undercount of renter, but also the larger undercounts of people of color and those living in rural areas.

1. “Brief 7: Comprehensive Accounting of Census-Guided Federal Spending (FY2017)”. Reamer. George Washington Institute of Public Policy. February, 2020. https://gwipp.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs2181/f/downloads/Counting%20for%20Dollars%202020%20-%20Comprehensive%20Accounting_Report%207B%20Feb%202020%20rev.pdf

2. “2020 Census: Renters”. U.S. Census Bureau. February, 2020. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-kits/2020/2020-census-renters.html

3. “Briefing on the Base Evaluation and Research Team”. Hartley, Perry. U.S. Census Bureau. 2022. https://www2.census.gov/about/partners/cac/sac/meetings/2022-09/presentation-briefing-on-base-evaluation-and-research-team.pdf

4. “U.S. Census Bureau’s Budget, Fiscal Year 2024”. U.S. Census Bureau. March, 2023. https://www2.census.gov/about/budget/congressional-budget-justification-fy-2024.pdf