U.S. Census Bureau to Email Households to Encourage Response to 2020 Census

Suitland, MD – The U.S. Census Bureau announced that it will begin emailing households in low-responding areas to encourage them to respond to the 2020 Census.

Millions of emails will be sent this week and then grow in numbers and continue into September. These emails supplement a final campaign reminding people to respond to the 2020 Census on their own, as census takers begin asking households to respond to the census.

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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s COVID-19 Bulletin #13

Nashville, TN – Today, Monday, April 6th, 2020, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee provided an update on Tennessee’s efforts regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) relief.

Governor Lee’s daily press conferences can be viewed live this week Monday through Thursday at 3:00pm CT here. Governor Lee has also established a website specific to Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates which can be found here.

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Tennessee to Distribute $200 Million to County. City Governments Through Governor’s Local Support Grants

Nashville, TN – Today, Monday, April 6th, 2020,  Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced $200 million in grants to be distributed to every county and city government across Tennessee for one-time, local expenses in fiscal year 2021.

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Tennessee Shows Reduction in the Number of Children Living in Concentrated Poverty

One of 29 States Nationwide to Show Progress in Child Poverty Rate According to New Data Snapshot from the Annie E. Casey Foundation

Nashville, TN – The percentage of Tennessee children living in areas of concentrated poverty fell 7% between 2013 and 2017, according to “Children Living in High Poverty, Low-Opportunity Neighborhoods,” a new KIDS COUNT® data snapshot released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Using the latest data available from the U.S. Census Bureau, the snapshot examines where concentrated poverty has worsened across the country despite a long period of national economic expansion.

Living in a neighborhood with a high level of concentrated poverty, in addition to putting children at risk from environmental exposure and reduced opportunities, can cause chronic stress and trauma.

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Facts about the Fourth of July, 2013

Washington, D.C. – On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation.

As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

Here are some facts about the Fourth of July from the United States Census Bureau.

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Thanksgiving Day Facts

Washington, D.C. – In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims, early settlers of Plymouth Colony, held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest, an event many regard as the nation’s first Thanksgiving.

Historians have also recorded ceremonies of thanks among other groups of European settlers in North America, including British colonists in Virginia in 1619. [Read more]

The Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen

Market Commentary by Scott J. Brown, Ph.D., Chief Economist

There were a lot of economic reports this week and most of them were disappointing. Consumer confidence fell in June, with sharp declines in regions affected by the Gulf oil spill. The June Institute for Supply Management (ISM) survey suggested a moderation in the pace of manufacturing growth (still positive). Unit motor vehicle sales slowed somewhat in June. Pending home sales plunged in May, following the expiration of the homebuyers’ tax credit.

Weekly jobless claims were higher than anticipated. The June Employment Report was a mixed bag. Nonfarm payrolls fell by 125,000, reflecting a 225,000 decline in temporary census workers, in line with expectations. However, private-sector payrolls rose a disappointing 83,000 – softer than expected, but not a disaster. The unemployment rate dropped to 9.5% (from 9.7% in May and vs. expectations of 9.8%), but the decline was due largely to a decrease in labor force participation. The employment-population ratio fell to 58.5% compared to 58.7% in May and 59.4% a year ago. Average weekly hours edged down, and average hourly earnings slipped 0.1% – both disappointing. [Read more]

The Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen

Market Commentary by Scott J. Brown, Ph.D., Chief Economist

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) left the target range for federal funds unchanged (at from 0% to 0.25%) and repeated that economic conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low rates “for an extended period.” The FOMC noted that “the economic recovery is proceeding and that the labor market is improving gradually,” but cautioned that “financial conditions have become less supportive of economic growth on balance, largely reflecting developments abroad.” The FOMC also acknowledged that “underlying inflation has trended lower.”.

The People’s Bank of China said that it would allow greater flexibility in its currency, but cautioned that reform would be “gradual.” Home sales figures were weaker than expected in May, even taking into account the impact of the expiration of the homebuyer tax credit on April 30. Durable goods orders were mixed. The estimate of first quarter 2010 gross domestic product (GDP) growth was revised lower (to 2.7%, compared to +3.2% in the advance estimate and +3.0% in the 2nd estimate). [Read more]

Census Bureau Releases 2009 City Population Estimates

Washington, DC — The U.S. Census Bureau today released July 1st, 2009, population estimates for each of the nation’s incorporated places, including cities, boroughs and villages and minor civil divisions, such as towns and townships. The new estimates are not 2010 Census population counts. They are, however, the last estimates to use 2000 Census results as a base.

The city estimates are based on 2000 Census data updated to reflect legal boundary changes, housing unit estimates updated to reflect inputs such as building permits, and county population estimates. The county population estimates are produced by using administrative records — namely births, deaths, and domestic and international migration. The resulting county population estimates are then distributed to the areas within each county by using the updated housing unit estimates. [Read more]