Groundwork Ohio Submits Federal Public Comments Supporting Accurate Census Data for Ohio's Young Children
Groundwork Ohio submitted public comments to the U.S. Census Bureau in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), Decennial Census of the Population of Americans; Proposed Residence Criteria and Proposed Regulations for Demographic Questions.
Accurate census data play a critical role in informing policies, federal funding decisions, and public investments that support Ohio's youngest children and families. With nearly 808,000 children under age five in Ohio, reliable population data are essential to understanding where children and families live and ensuring communities have the information needed to support their well-being.
In its public comments submitted on October 30, 2026, Groundwork Ohio raised concerns about proposed changes to the criteria used to determine which residents are included in the population used for congressional apportionment, as well as the proposed prohibition on race and ethnicity questions in the decennial census.
Groundwork Ohio's comments highlighted two key concerns:
Accurate and Inclusive Population Counts: The proposed residence criteria could exclude certain individuals living in the United States from the population used to determine congressional representation. These exclusions could affect community representation and the population data used to inform federal funding decisions and resource allocation for essential services, including health care, nutrition assistance, housing, and child care.
Comprehensive Demographic Data: Removing race and ethnicity questions from the decennial census could limit the availability of consistent demographic information needed to identify disparities in early childhood outcomes and understand differences in health, early learning, housing stability, and economic security among children and families.
Groundwork Ohio urges the U.S. Census Bureau to preserve accurate and inclusive population counts and maintain comprehensive demographic data collection. Reliable census data are essential to informed policymaking, appropriate community representation, and ensuring Ohio has the information needed to support the healthy development and well-being of all young children and families.
