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7 – The Undercount of Young Children in Official Statistics
The Undercount of Young Children in Official Statistics: Discussion
Howard Hogan
US Census Bureau
Despite evidence that young children (under age 5) have had relatively high net undercount rates in the U.S. Census at least since 1950, and many other developed countries experience high net undercount rates for young children, this issue has received very little attention among demographers. Results of the 2010 Census show that young children (under age 5) have a net undercount rate of 4.6 percent which is higher than any other age group. Moreover the net undercount rate for young black and young Hispanic children is significantly higher than the total undercount rate for this age group. Since 1980, the net undercount rate for young children has increased consistently and substantially while that for adults has declined.
This session will provide historic and current data on the undercount of children in the U.S. Decennial Census, as well as steps that have been taken in the past to reduce such undercounts. It will also provide information on the Census Bureau's plans for trying to achieve a more accurate count of young children in the 2020 Census.