Bronx politicians are actively involved in making sure the population of the borough is not undercounted in the 2010 U.S. Census. An accurate count can ensure much needed federal and state funding for local services, so Bronx politicians are working hard to make sure their community stands up to be counted.
“This is our opportunity to show how much the Bronx has grown and changed over the last decade,” said Congressman José E. Serrano. “The Bronx has historically suffered from a large undercount, and lost out on federal funds as a result.”
During the 2000 Census, 56% of Bronx residents responded, according to the Census Bureau. This was slightly more than the city overall (55%) but well below the national response rate of 67%.
A low response rate to the 2000 Census may be attributed to several factors. According to the 2000 Census, in some Bronx communities more than half the people said they did not read or speak English well. The majority of Bronx residents define themselves as being persons of color, who historically, have been more likely to be undercounted. Another factor may be the unfounded fear that census information is used to track undocumented immigrants.
To increase the number of returned census forms and highlight the importance of an accurate count, New York State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and Governor David Paterson joined other elected officials and Census personnel at a rally on March 30, 2010 at the Hunts Point Train Station.
The Census return rate for the Bronx has been steadily growing. As of April 7, 2010, 50% of Bronx residents had returned their U.S. Census form, according to local cable station News 12 The Bronx. Manhattan’s rate of return on the same date was 54%.
In 2009, the Census Bureau estimated that the borough's population on July 1, 2008 was 1,391,903, making it the fourth most populated of the five boroughs of New York City.
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