Census Bureau reports 4.9 percent undercount on reservations

Tuesday, May 22, 2012  

The U.S. Census Bureau missed 4.9 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives who live on reservations, the agency said today.

The rate was similar to the 4.74 net undercount of American Indians and Alaska Natives on reservations on the 2000 Census. It's a marked improvement from the 12.2 percent undercount on the 1990 Census.

But American Indians and Alaska Natives on reservations were missed far more often than all other racial and ethnic groups, according to the agency. Overall, the 2010 Census saw a net overcount of 0.01 percent.

“On this one evaluation — the net undercount of the total population — this was an outstanding census,” Census Bureau Director Robert Groves said. “When this fact is added to prior positive evaluations, the American public can be proud of the 2010 Census their participation made possible.”

Get the Story:
Press Release: Census Bureau Releases Estimates of Undercount and Overcount in the 2010 Census (Census Bureau 5/22)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Indian population in Oklahoma will continue to expand (5/21)
American Indian and Alaska Native population grows to 6.3M (5/17)