Special census passes halfway point

Work on the special census continues, but officials with the US Census Bureau say the count is about 60 percent complete. The count will continue for several more weeks to ensure an accurate count of North Liberty’s population residents.
This special census count is important to a town growing as quickly as North Liberty is, since our actual population quickly outpaces the official once-every-decade count required of the federal government. In 2010, for example, North Liberty’s official population was 13,374. Just five years later, city officials estimate our population is above 17,000.
This matters because census counts are used to determine things such as the apportionment of state road use tax, which cities use to build and maintain roads. So being several thousand people off makes a big difference to our growing community as we work to improve key infrastructure. While the special census is estimated to cost about $310,000 to conduct, we estimate the city will see more than $280,000 additionally in annual road use taxes.
To get an accurate count, the special census requires residents’ help. City officials are asking that residents take the time to answer when a census taker contacts their household. Enumerators will be wearing official US Census Bureau badges for identification. Allow enumerators to get a full and accurate count of our city’s population, will in turn benefits the community by providing additional funding for critical infrastructure.