Census Bureau LUCA

October 4, 2017

How can communities ensure that they are getting their share of federal funds?  In FY 2015, the federal government distributed $589.7 billion to each of the states and the District of Columbia using information from the 2010 Census.  These programs includes Medicaid, National School Lunch Program, Highway Planning & Construction, SNAP, and other programs.  In the same year, Oklahoma received $6.6 billion of the federal funds from programs that use Census information.  On a per capita basis, this represents $1,675 per person. 

Why is this important?  For 1 housing addition with 50 homes and 150 people, this could represent $2.5 million over ten years in the community.  The same is true for an apartment complex with 75 units and 150 people.  In years with budgetary challenges, missing one housing addition or one apartment complex can have consequences for the following 9 years for a community – it is a steep price to pay. 

What can be done?  Tribal nations, county and city governments can sign up for the Local Update of Census Addresses, or LUCA.  LUCA represents the only opportunity for states, tribal areas, counties, cities and towns to review the addresses that Census Bureau will use for the 2020 Census.  Ensuring the Census has correct addresses in your community is the best way to ensure that the Census does not undercount the population in your community. 

The following map shows Census tracts that had low participation in the 2010 Census and have populations that are hard to count.  Among other populations, these hard-to-count areas could include minority populations, renters, crowded households, low-income populations, single parents households, and households with children less than 5 years. 

Deadline to sign up for LUCA is 12/15/17.  One other option for signing up for LUCA, is for a community to designate the Oklahoma State Data Center to perform the review.  For information about how to do so, or if your highest elected official does not have the LUCA forms, please contact jon.chiappe@okcommerce.gov.

In addition to federal funding, Census data are also used to apportion representation in Congress and state legislative districts. 

Contact information:
Jon Chiappe
Director, Research & Economic Analysis Services
405.815.5210