WHITE COUNTY, Ga. – The 2020 Census undercounted the number of households and population in White County by 2,763 households according to county officials who have filed an appeal with the U.S. Census Bureau.

Travis Turner

Board of Commissioners Chairman Travis Turner announced the county’s decision during Monday’s Board of Commissioners meeting. In 2021, the Census reported the county’s population at 28,003 which fell short of its own 2020 estimate of 30,798.

“We’ve used our own GIS technology and addresses and thus far, we have found approximately 2,763 residences that were not counted thereby lowballing us on the data,” Turner said in announcing the Board’s decision.

The Census allows a Census Capital Question Resolution for appeal. To start that process the county sent a letter to the U.S. Census Bureau that outlines the claim and sends supporting documentation of the county’s block-by block count of households.

The Census is used to apportion congressional representation and boundaries of state House and Legislative Districts.

According to one non-profit organization, the Census also undercounted the state population by 124,438. Texas, California, New York and Florida also reported undercounts.

The Census Bureau has until mid-2023 to respond to questions.