Counting All Alaskans in the 2020 census A presentation from the Alaska Census Working Group

Key stakeholders across the state and across sectors have united to work toward an accurate census count in Alaska.

Alaska Census Working Group Convened by The Foraker Group - Agnew::Beck Consulting - Alaska Airlines - Alaska Municipal League - Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium - ANCSA Regional Association - Cook Inlet Housing Authority - First Alaskans Institute, Alaska Native Policy Center - The Foraker Group - Koniag Inc. - McDowell Group - Municipality of Anchorage - Office of Alaska Governor Bill Walker - Rasmuson Foundation - Sealaska Corporation - State of Alaska Departments of Community and Regional Affairs; Education; Health and Social Services; Labor and Workforce Development; and Elections - University of Alaska Anchorage

Why the Census Matters for Alaska

Census data affects the allocation of more than $3 Census data affects the allocation of more than $3.2 billion in Alaska each year. 21.8% of state GDP in Alaska comes from federal spending.

The census is central to our democracy, affecting apportionment in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as state and local legislative boundaries.

Groups across Alaska rely on accurate census data for planning and service provision, from early childhood education to road planning and construction.

“Private sector businesses rely on accurate Census Bureau data to help us determine how and when to invest in the many Alaska communities we serve. The more accurate the data is, the more confident we are when making those investments.” –Tim Thompson, Alaska Airlines Public Affairs Manager (Alaska)

An accurate count of all Alaskans is vital to ensuring Alaska gets its fair share of federal funding and state and local organizations have the data they need.

Challenges to an Accurate Count in Alaska

Mapping Census Tracts: A National Perspective

Alaska is one of the most difficult states to count in the U.S. Census

Alaska’s Special-Enumeration Tracts Nome Census Area In-person enumeration only in 2010. 8% undercount in this type of tract in 2010. 2020 census will urge online responses, but 80% or more of households don’t meet FCC’s minimum internet threshold.

Alaska’s Hard-to-Count Tracts Southeast Fairbanks Census Area One of the hardest-to-count (HTC) tracts in the country. Only 28.6% of households mailed back responses in 2010. Follow-up in HTC tracts is more costly and more difficult. Only 40-60% of households in this tract meet FCC’s minimum internet threshold.

Challenges of Follow-Up in Alaska Anchorage Census Area One of the highest-reporting census tracts in Alaska. 89% of households mailed back their questionnaires in 2010. Even in easier-to-count tracts, follow-up is costly and more difficult in Alaska.

Who Does the Census Miss?

94.7% of overall U.S. population counted correctly in 2010 Census, according to Census Bureau estimates

8% Undercount of Alaskans in the state’s special-enumeration tracts in 2010, according to Census Bureau estimates

4.9% Undercount of American Indians and Alaska Natives living on reservations in 2010 Census, according to Census Bureau estimates

Characteristics that increase risk of undercounting Native populations Poverty: Native populations face a much higher poverty rate (26.6%) than the national average (13%). Education: The Native community has lower high school and college graduation rates than the national average. Age: The median age of Native populations is five years younger than the national median, and nine years younger for Native people on reservations. Housing: Almost 50% of American Indians and Alaska Natives are renters, and these populations are more likely to “double up” in the same house.

Why Does Census Funding Matter?

Insufficient Census Funding Inaccurate Census Count Misallocation of Federal Funding

Preserving the Accuracy of the American Community Survey (ACS)

21 of the top 22 federal programs that allocate according to census-based statistics also use data from the ACS to determine funding allocations.

The ACS is a vital annual data resource and should be kept as a mandatory survey to preserve the quality of its data.

What Can Be Done?

Advocate for sufficient allocations for the Census Bureau At minimum, allocate $1.53 billion in FY 2018 Support keeping a mandatory ACS Preserve the integrity and data quality of the U.S. Census

For more information, please contact: Gabe Layman, glayman@cookinlethousing.org Chair, Alaska Census Working Group . Mike Walsh, mwalsh@forakergroup.org Director of Public Policy, The Foraker Group