Council approves plans to conduct special census in Columbia for increased annual revenue

Jay Powell, Columbia Daily Herald
A special census will be conducted in Columbia later this year, which could bring $1.2 million in additional yearly revenue as the city's population continues to grow, now estimated at about 50,000 people.
A special census will be conducted in Columbia later this year, which could bring $1.2 million in additional yearly revenue as the city's population continues to grow, now estimated at about 50,000 people.

Columbia City Council approved plans for a special census to be conducted later this year, a project which could net millions of additional dollars in annual revenue.

Council members met Thursday for their monthly study session, while also conducting a special-called meeting to vote on the proposed special census. The reason for the special meeting was due for the council to approve the submission of $928,069 to the U.S. Census Bureau (USCB), City Manager Tony Massey said.

"It would essentially be another regular census [the USCB] would do for us starting in the summer and going through the fall," Massey said. "That way it can be completed in time for us to send the new census numbers for the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, and the state shared taxes that we would receive from the new special census."

Columbia City Manager Tony Massey attends a meeting regarding affordable housing at City Hall in Columbia, Tenn., on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021.
Columbia City Manager Tony Massey attends a meeting regarding affordable housing at City Hall in Columbia, Tenn., on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021.

Massey added that the USCB has forecasted Columbia's growth to be an estimated 6,800 people since 2020, a methodology he describes as being "about 94% accurate."

The purpose of the census, as has been the case in Spring Hill who has conducted a few similar processes over the last few years, is to track population growth, which could then equate into multiple benefits to the city, namely increased annual revenue.

If the numbers are correct, or in fact higher as population growth continues, it could net approximately $1.2 million in new annual revenue, or about $6 million by the 2030 census.

Recent data from the census bureau indicates that Maury County has a local response rate of 65%, surpassing the state's current average response rate of 61.1%.
Recent data from the census bureau indicates that Maury County has a local response rate of 65%, surpassing the state's current average response rate of 61.1%.

"From my perspective, I see this as a good move by council to approve as a business investment, because we should get our money back within the first year," Massey said. "And then over the next few years that amount goes forward."

Tracking the increased growth since the previous 2020 census could also award new grant opportunities, as well as establish Columbia's status as an "entitlement city" if Columbia's population meets or exceeds 50,000 people, Assistant City Manager and Financial Officer Thad Jablonski said.

"For some cities, given the variables that go into that calculation as an entitlement city, it's what you receive each year," Jablonski said. "Whether that makes sense to you, it might make sense to some older communities like us who have low-income census tracks as designated by the U.S. Census Bureau. Like our sister city to the north, Spring Hill, it would make a little less sense ... but as we approach that 50,000 threshold, that's something we can evaluate and take a look at."

Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at www.ColumbiaDailyHerald.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Columbia special census could bring $1.2 in additional annual revenue

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