Knowledge for Planning

The census offers a lot of information to governments, researchers, and businesses. It helps them focus on strategies and develop plans to improve communities over time.

When you take part in the census, you are:

►Helping to improve local infrastructure like highways, roads, and public buildings,

►Bringing in funds to improve the livability and comfort of your community,

►Helping local law enforcement better understand their community and arm them with the personnel and equipment they need to properly serve and protect.

Local Government

Census statistics help improve many things in your community. Some examples are emergency centers, roads, schools, hospitals, and senior centers.
Census statistics are accepted as fact which helps researchers, businesses, and governments.

There are 2,259 federal assistance programs available to local governments. Census data can be used to understand where money needs to go and what impact it can have. 

Census Impact on Infrastructure

Knowing how and where the population is estimated to change allows local government officials to plan for better infrastructure.

In 2016, the city of Atlanta received $10 million through the TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to construct mobility improvements along a portion of MLK Jr. Drive. 

Infrastructure for Rebuilding America Grant

The recent Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant program was created to address critical issues facing our nation's highways and bridges. Because of this grant, local governments have access to $1.5 billion to help with local infrastructure problems.

The census allows local governments to apply for grants like this one in hopes to improve failing infrastructure. 

People connecting and coming together.
The Census enhances the lives of its communities by providing improved livability and a safer place to live and thrive.

Census Demographics Help Improve the Lives of Georgians

Information on the demographics of a district gives local governments the opportunity to better understand the needs of its population.

Community Development Block Grant

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) helps provide a suitable living environment and provide resources to make communities more comfortable and expand economic opportunities. Local governments must apply for this grant using census data. In Georgia, Gwinnett County has been a local beneficiary of the CDBG grant receiving over $5 million each year since 2014.

Additionally, the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) was designed to create affordable housing for low-income households around the country. In Georgia, 15 local governments have received a total of $10,477,491 in 2017 to create affordable housing for Georgia citizens.

These are just a couple examples of how census demographics are used to disperse funds to improve the lives of Georgians. There are many other opportunities we can take advantage of when an accurate census is completed in Georgia.

You can see from the tables below how funds were allocated, from the Community Development Block Grant, to cities and counties throughout Georgia in 2017.

City Funds Received County Funds Recieved
Atlanta, GA $6,613,822 Gwinnett County, GA $5,086,113
Savannah, GA $2,038,318 DeKalb County, GA $4,746,548
Macon, GA $1,588,500 Cobb County, GA $3,159,660
Albany, GA $853,775 Clayton County, GA $2,354,802
Valdosta, GA $578,619 Fulton County, GA $2,031,813
Warner Robins, GA $576,664 Augusta-Richmond County, GA $1,649,350
Sandy Springs, GA $574,431 Columbus-Muscogee County, GA $1,371,525
Marietta, GA $468,637 Athens-Clarke County, GA $1,187,911
Gainesville, GA $412,753 Cherokee County, GA $1,113,082
Roswell, GA $410,061 Henry County, GA $1,066,118
Rome, GA $395,117    
Dalton, GA $380,390    
Brunswick, GA $330,283    
Smyrna, GA $292,919    
Hinesville, GA $191,204    

Census Helps Protect Communities

Police departments can benefit from census data by making sure they are abiding by safety requirements and show the need for:

►More officers 

►Additional equipment and vehicles

►Officer training in specific areas

In fact, 76 local sheriff’s offices have benefited from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to improve and further protect their communities. When Georgians participate in the census, they're ensuring their district, county, and city government is properly prepared to protect their community.