City challenging Census estimates

By Anastasia Harbuck

Published: August 22, 2008

U.S. Census estimates show that Eufaula is losing residents.

City of Eufaula officials say they have proof that the city is gaining residents. The city is officially challenging Census estimates, which show that the city’s population as of July 1, 2007 was 13,115. If correct, that would be a 5.7 percent decrease from 2000 Census number, when the city’s population was reported at 13,908.

But City Planner Tim Milner says the 2007 estimate is not correct.

“The updated number, based on Census statistical methods and city building department records should be 14,606 – a gain of 698,” he said. That equates to an increase of 5 percent – proof according to city officials that the city is growing at a healthy rate.

Milner said the large discrepancy is mainly based on what is called the “rake factor,” an adjustment that Census officials use to more accurately report Census number. However, Milner said the city’s rake factor was based on county estimates, and does not accurately reflect what has occurred in the city.

“That rake factor is why many cities are challenging,” Milner said. “We think there shouldn’t be one. (Census officials are) taking some county numbers to reduce the population estimates for the City of Eufaula and publishing that. ... For people to say we’re losing population is not right.”

Eufaula mayoral candidate Randall Greene has stated the city’s lack of population growth in his campaign. Mayor Jay Jaxon, who is running for a fifth term, spoke briefly about the challenge at Monday’s council meeting.

Milner said the city can prove its recent growth. The city is citing an increase in the number of residential and new home placements since 2000. Milner points to new developments such as Creek Ridge and the apartment complex off State Docks Road, behind Comfort Suites.

“(Census officials) offer several methods of showing the population is greater than what they estimated. You can go by utility connections, or the housing method,” he said.

Milner said population estimates are important for several reasons – most notably for economic development purposes.

“We have investors that are holding off,” Milner said, due to the current population trend.

It will likely be several months before the city learns if its challenge was successful.

In 2006, the City of Boston successfully challenged numbers which showed the city’s population had decreased by an estimated 5.1 percent.

According to the city’s Web site, estimates were updated to show a 1.3 percent increase since 2000.

Efforts to reach Census officials for comment were unsuccessful.