Democracy’s Data: How the Census Strengthens Civic Health - 2024 National Conference on Citizenship

The census is more than just a once-a-decade national headcount - it is a cornerstone of our democracy, a reflection of who we are, and a barometer of civic participation. This panel will explore the critical role of the census in our nation’s civic health, from its function as the foundation of political representation to its power as a tool for understanding and addressing the needs of communities across the nation.
Drawing inspiration from Dan Bouk’s Democracy’s Data, this session will delve into the census’s imperfections, the operational choices embedded in its design, and the lived stories it represents. Panelists will discuss how the census measures and reflects the nation’s civic health and trust in government, highlighting its critical role in the enforcement of civil rights laws, driving resource allocation, and shaping the future of our democracy.
-Dan Bouk, Professor of History, Colgate University
-Dr. Jeanine Abrams McLean, President, Fair Count
-Cara Brumfield, Managing Director of Research and Policy, Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality (Moderator)
-Meghan Maury, Data Policy Strategist and Current Chief of Staff for the Office of the Under Secretary of Economic Affairs at the Department of Commerce
Co-presented by the Census Quality Reinforcement Task Force
Filmed on December 10, 2024 at the 2024 National Conference on Citizenship - Renewing Civic Health - at the Planet Word Museum in Washington, DC.