On June 30th, 2023, the Texas Demographic Center submitted Count Question Resolution (CQR) and Post-Census Group Quarter Resolution (PCGQR) challenges to the Census Bureau, on behalf of the State of Texas. Both of our challenges focused on the group quarters, and we did not submit housing unit counts for review. For CQR, we submitted a total of 306 census blocks for review, where our data showed higher counts of group quarter facilities than reported by the 2020 Census. For PCGQR, we submitted documentation for 171 group quarter facilities with our record for population counts in 2020. These facilities were located in census blocks where the 2020 Decennial Census reported zero group quarter counts. This inconsistency could be due to the fact that the Census Bureau counted them in a different census block or missed them altogether.

It is important to note that the CQR and PCGQR operation will not change the total population count for the 2020 Texas decennial census. However, if the Census Bureau accepts all or some of TDC’s supporting documentation, it will result in more accurate population counts by census blocks in corresponding communities moving forward. We are unsure when the Census Bureau will provide us with the results of their review, but we will keep you apprised of their decision in the coming months.

Providing demographic assistance to our state agency and local government partners is a routine and important activity for us here at TDC. On July 18th 2023, staff with the Texas Demographic Center and the Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research (IDSER) conducted a training for transportation professionals from across the state at UTSA. Amongst the topics discussed were the importance of demographic inputs for travel demand models derived from TDC and U.S. Census Bureau data, the role that TDC’s population estimates and projections program plays in transportation modeling, and discussions around best practices for future demographic projects.

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