White County is challenging the results of its 2020 census count.
During this week’s commission meeting, County Commission Chairman Travis Turner said they have used the county’s GIS technology as well as residential addresses and, so far, have found approximately 2,763 residents that were not counted in the most recent census.
According to White County Economic Development Director John Sell, the U.S. Census Bureau put White County’s population at 27,144 in April 2010. In July 2019, it estimated the county’s population to be 30,798. Then, when the Bureau released its 2020 figures, it said White County’s population was 28,003 – 2,795 short of what the Bureau estimated a year earlier.
“That causes a lot of concern,” Sell told commissioners.
White County has sent a letter to the Census Bureau appealing the population results for the county.
Commissioner Turner said there are other counties in the state that are looking at doing the same thing because of low counts in their area.
“We feel like we have a good case,” Turner said.
Sell said they hope to hear back from the Census Bureau within 90 days, but added, the Bureau has until 2023 to respond.
Commissioner Terry Goodger explained the reason behind the county’s appeal saying, “The biggest effect this will have on us is the money we get from the state and federal government.”
