We’ve already cut Decatur’s 2010 Census data a couple of ways over the past few months, and had a lengthy discussion about the decline of black households inside the city.  But what about that OTHER most talked about Decatur demographic?

That’s right, I’m talking about families with kids.

A reader points to this great website that very clearly shows the growth in various demographics between the 2000 and 2010 Census, among them households with children.  Here’s the breakdown on households by family-type:

                                                                           2000         2010     % change

• Under 6 years old:                                     399            698          75%
• Under 6 years and 6-17 years:               192            305          59%
• 6-17 years only:                                         530             730          38%
• No children under 18 years:                1,462          1,603         10%
• Male householder only w/kids:              195              216         11%
• Female householder only w/kids:      1,076             984         -9%

Note that this is HOUSEHOLD data and doesn’t take into account the number of children in each household.  However, this might be the first concrete dataset we’ve seen which confirms what many of you have been reporting for years: an impressive/scary/reaffirming increase among the youngest children set.  Just to be clear: the number of households with children under 6 years old is nearly THE SAME as households with kids 6-17 years old.  That’s certainly something to take note of considering that’s a 6 year age span compared to an 11 year age span.

That discrepancy, combined with general increases in all three husband/wife/kid groups gives a very real idea of the enrollment issues City Schools of Decatur having been dealing with and will have to accommodate in the coming years.

Didn’t send in your 2010 Census form?  Census workers are gonna come a knockin’.

From Decatur PD’s Juanchella Francis…

This email is sent to inform you that the U.S. Census Bureau will have census takers working in your jurisdiction as part of our Non-Response Follow Up operation.

For a period of 6 to 8 weeks, beginning on May 1, 2010, census takers will visit households that did not complete and return the census questionnaires that were to their residences. This Non-Response Follow-up operation will ensure that everyone in your jurisdiction is counted in the 2010 Census.

• · Census takers are your neighbors (people from your community), hired by the Census Bureau, to go door-to-door and collect census information from residents who have not returned their 2010 Census forms.
• · Census takers will contact residences up to 6 times, each time leaving a door hanger. The door hanger will have a phone number (404-239-2160) on it so that residents can call to schedule a visit and be counted.
• · Census takers visiting households will have a black census bag as well as a 2 1/8” X 3 3/8” non-photo identification badge. (See attached)

From InDecatur’s recap from last night’s Decatur City Commission meeting…

Peggy:  Decatur is currently at 67% census return, vs. goal of 99%.

Well, that goal seemed a bit, shall-we-say, aggressive?  So, I ventured over to the Census 2010 website to give that number a bit more context and low and behold, not only is there up-to-date data, but also a handy-dandy map and interactive database!  Look I even created this informative comparative chart for Decatur city, DeKalb County, Atlanta city, Avondale and Georgia!

The map itself shows that Decatur is currently ahead in participation among cities in the metro region.