Several past studies have examined various socio-demographic data elements and their correlations with geographic variations in young child census coverage rates. This study extends that stream of research by examining the relationship between 30 potential explanatory variables and state net coverage rates for young children in the 2020 Census. The 30 potential explanatory variables are clustered into five domains.
- Race/ethnicity and immigration
- Socioeconomic status
- Family structure/living arrangements
- Housing
- Internet availability and response rates
Of the 30 potential explanatory variables examined here, 17 had statistically significant correlations with state young child coverage rates. Looking at the results across domains, six of the eight variables in the Race/ethnicity and immigration domain showed a statistically significant correlation and seven of the eight variables in the Family structure/living arrangement domain were highly correlated with variation in 2020 Census state young child coverage rates. Most of the findings are consistent with past research but a couple of intriguing results are examined in the Discussion section.
*Consultant to the Count All Kids Campaign.
**Dr. O’Hare’s work on this Brief was supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, but they are not responsible for the contents of this publication.
***Adjunct Professor, University of Missouri.
