Census expert: Stamford rocks
I was a member of both the Connecticut and Stamford 2020 Census Complete Count committees and was closely involved in Get Out the Count activities for a couple of years, especially at the local level.
I was very pleased to see the robust population count for Stamford reported last week, which reflected the commitment of civic, community, faith, business and education leaders to encourage participation in the 2020 Census in the face of many challenges. Hats off to fellow committee members who worked tirelessly for more months than anyone expected would be needed to ensure a complete count.
The pandemic and the inappropriate political interference during the last presidential administration required nimble and creative efforts to convince a diverse population to respond. It appears Stamford residents rose to the occasion.
The population increase will entitle the city to a greater share of political representation and federal and state resources over the next decade, and I hope those benefits will flow to all neighborhoods and amplify voices in all communities.
Census Day was April 1, 2020, so the data released last week essentially reflect our city’s circumstances right before the significant migration of New Yorkers to Fairfield County as the pandemic surged.
But the 2020 Census data, even without our newest residents, show the appeal of life in a midsize city outside a larger core city, with easy access to activities and cultural events in both places and the advantages of the less overwhelming New England environment, in the humble opinion of this hometown girl. Terri Ann Lowenthal Stamford