Census data released, redistricting work can officially begin

The United States Census Bureau released its data from the 2020 census today, getting the ball rolling for redistricting in Ohio and across the country.

A general overview of the data slowed population growth at its slowest rate in decades, and Ohio in the lowest category for growth, showing a 1.3% change in terms of population growth.

The country is more diverse, according to the Nicholas Jones, director and senior advisor of race and ethnic research and outreach for the population division of the Census Bureau. Census analysts, however, are still looking at the data to determine whether or not the larger bump in diverse populations has anything to do with previous undercounts of demographic populations.

Ron Jarmin, acting director of the U.S. Census Bureau, said it was “too early to speculate on overcounts or undercounts in any demographic group,” but that he trusted the data’s accuracy.

Ohio’s Redistricting Commission still has not scheduled public hearings to get input on reshaping district maps, but commission co-chair state Sen. Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, said it’s time to get to work.

“I am hopeful that this data will also be made available soon to the public in an accessible format so Ohioans can submit maps of their own,” Sykes said in a statement Thursday,