That’s what the last census amounted to. As I wrote here last summer and fall, the math was at best – and being very generous – fuzzy. In truth, we simply have no idea how many people there are. 18-19% discrepancy. Because of wHaT ThE ViUrS did…

The U.S. Census Bureau released results today from two analyses about the quality of the 2020 Census counts. While both showed the strength of the count for the total U.S. population, each analysis revealed that the 2020 Census overcounted or undercounted various demographic groups.

“Today’s results show statistical evidence that the quality of the 2020 Census total population count is consistent with that of recent censuses. This is notable, given the unprecedented challenges of 2020,” said Director Robert L. Santos. “But the results also include some limitations — the 2020 Census undercounted many of the same population groups we have historically undercounted, and it overcounted others.”

Yes, yes, we can no longer perform complex math. Like addition and subtraction. Then again, I again suspect most of the “count” amounted to statistical sampling. Maybe with some darts thrown at a wall or a spinning wheel.

The PES data show that:

• • The Black or African American alone or in combination population had a statistically significant undercount of 3.30%. This is not statistically different from the 2.06% undercount in 2010.
  • The Hispanic or Latino population had a statistically significant undercount rate of 4.99%. This is statistically different from a 1.54% undercount in 2010.
  • American Indian or Alaska Native alone or in combination populations living on reservations show a statistically significant undercount rate of 5.64%. This was not statistically different from a 4.88% undercount in 2010. The American Indian or Alaska Native population alone or in combination living in American Indian areas, but not living on reservations, was not statistically different from zero in 2020 or 2010.
  • The non-Hispanic White alone population had a statistically significant overcount rate of 1.64%. This is statistically different from an overcount of 0.83% in 2010.
  • The Asian alone or in combination population had an overcount rate of 2.62%. This is statistically different from 0.00% in 2010.
  • The Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander alone or in combination population had an estimated overcount rate of 1.28%. This rate is not different from an estimated 1.02% overcount rate in 2010. Both are not statistically different from zero.

My calculator burned up, but I tried to roughly see how this fits with my previous estimate or, what was it, 2029 as the year of the great demographic shift. I’ll stick with that as, in the absence of actual data, this has become farcical. Given that we’re now 2 years past the … errors and all, and given that we don’t know the extent of the 2021 Heritage net drop – as if we can expect any accuracy, I’ll just twiddle my thumbs and wait for more exciting news about the latest or next hoax or something.