EDITORIAL: Darlington County needs an accurate count in 2010 census

U.S. Census numbers have a direct impact on local communities in a number of ways.

Sometime after the 2010 census, lawmakers will begin the task of redrawing boundary lines for S.C. House and Senate Districts. U.S. congressional districts will also be redrawn.

How those districts will look will depend to a large extent on population figures from the 2010 census.

It is possible that South Carolina could gain a seventh congressional seat in the next reapportionment. It is also possible that Darlington County could lose one of its three resident S.C. House seats.

Those are just two examples of why an accurate count in next year’s census is important for our state, our county and our cities.

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The census also impacts our economic development. Recently, when it was announced that the developers of a new hotel in Hartsville were negotiating with national restaurant franchises to locate a new restaurant adjacent to the hotel, speculation began to circulate around town about one chain in particular that might come to town.

But, according to the developer, that chain will only locate in an area where there is a certain population level within a certain radius. And Hartsville didn’t meet their criteria – at least not on paper.

We know that Hartsville and Darlington County – as well as South Carolina – were under counted in the 2000 census. By some estimates, as many as 10,000 people in Darlington County may have gone uncounted a decade ago.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Milton Smalls, in the 2000 census, South Carolina’s mail back response rate – the rate of people who completed a census form and returned it - was just 59 percent, the second poorest response rate in the nation, according to Smalls. Only Alaska had a lower response rate, he said.

In Darlington County, only 54 percent of individuals who received a census form completed and returned it, he said.

“We want to count everybody, we want to count everybody once, and we want to count everybody in the right place,” Smalls said.

An accurate count for Darlington County and its municipalities in the 2010 census is critical to this county’s future.

Census data is used to make decisions that have a direct impact on local communities. Examples include:
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• Distribution of more than $400 billion this coming year in federal funds.
• Redistricting of state legislative districts and U.S. congressional districts.
• Forecasting of future transportation needs for all segments of the population.
• Determining areas eligible for housing assistance and rehabilitation loans.
• Assisting federal, tribal, state and local governments in planning and implementing programs and services in education, healthcare, transportation, social services and emergency response.
• Designing facilities for people with disabilities, the elderly and children.
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Fortunately, local leaders are taking steps to ensure a more accurate count in 2010 in Darlington County and its communities with the formation of a Complete Count Committee – a group that will work in partnership with the Census Bureau to help make sure people here get counted.

It’s true that many people are leery or suspicious of the census.

The census is nothing new. It’s been done every decade in the U.S. since 1790. It is required in the U.S. Constitution – the same Constitution that protects your civil rights.
Darlington County’s Complete Count Committee has its work cut out for it. We all need to help it succeed.