Join us for a lively discussion on why everyone should participate in the census.

More than 170 federal programs allocating more than $400 billion use Census-based formulas to determine who gets the money. According to a preliminary report, Philadelphia received more than $4 billion in federal funding in FY 2008 based on decennial census data. That’s more than $2,500 per person.

That’s a lot of money. It could have been even more. For the past nine years, Philadelphia’s population has been under-counted. We know this because earlier this month, the U.S. Census Bureau accepted Philadelphia’s first-ever Census challenge and added 93,000 residents to the population estimate, bringing our official estimate to 1,540,351, up from 1,447,395.

For the first time in 60 years, the official Philadelphia population has gone up, not down. The city population is growing, which is a sign of economic health and a confirmation of the energy we feel throughout the city. Also, higher population should mean hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars in additional federal funding to Philadelphia going forward for programs that range from affordable housing to neighborhood improvement plans and economic development.

Confirmed panelists include:

• Duane Bumb, Senior Deputy Director of Commerce, City of Philadelphia
• State Representative Vanessa Brown
• Sharmain Matlock-Turner, President Greater Phila. Urban Affairs Coalition
• Moderator: Kate Houston, Sustainable Business Network

Presented by the Young Professionals Complete Count Committee (YPCCC)