2030 census gives Floridians opportunity to fix costly 2020 miscount

Florida is growing faster than almost any other state. With a population of more than 23.4 million, communities are expanding, schools are filling and roadways are busier than ever. Accurate data about who lives in the state shapes planning, investment and the resources Florida receives from the federal government. Without a complete count, communities lose out on federal funding and opportunities to invest in residents and long-term growth. 

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A new Florida Chamber Foundation study, informed by insights from the Florida Philanthropic Network and the Florida Counts project, reveals the county-by-county impact on federal funding due to the 2020 census undercount. Incredibly, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that the 2020 census missed about 750,000 Floridians. That undercount cost Florida more than $11.4 billion in federal funding that could have been reinvested in schools, health care, infrastructure and community programs. These are dollars Floridians already paid in taxes that did not return to support their communities. For philanthropy and local organizations, these funds represent opportunities to build stronger programs, improve services and make strategic community investments where they are most needed.