This fact sheet provides data analysis and findings from a comparison of population counts for Los Angeles County from the 2020 Census for political redistricting (P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data or PL94) and the 2015-19 American Community Survey (ACS).

Overview:

The study found that in Los Angeles County, residents in certain demographic and socioeconomic groups were much more likely than others to be excluded from the self-reporting phase of the census. Specifically, the research concluded that - on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis - undercounts were most likely in areas where the majority of residents are Hispanic or Asian, have lower incomes, rent their homes or were born outside of the U.S.

According to the authors, a key difference between the American Community Survey and the 2020 census is that the COVID-19 pandemic severely affected data collection for the census. Previous research showed that disruption was particularly pronounced in disadvantaged neighborhoods and appears to have created a "differential undercount," meaning that some populations were more likely than other groups not to be counted. Thus, the scope of ethnic diversity and demographic change in cities like Los Angeles could be significantly underestimated.

The fact sheet builds upon a previous report by the AASC and the Center for Neighborhood Knowledge entitled, "Persistent Shortfalls and Racial/Class Disparities, 2020 Census Self-Response Rates" as well as other reports.

Read UCLA Newsroom Story at: UCLA research pinpoints where 2020 census undercounts were most likely in L.A. County