Texas Demographic Center

TEXAS DEMOGRAPHIC CENTER

Providing access to reliable, impartial data used to inform policy decisions, strategies and solutions.

FUNDING REQUEST (continued – no increase)

$334,816 per year; $669,632 per biennium

Overview

Located at UTSA, the Texas Demographic Center (TDC), initiated in 1980, is part of the U.S. Bureau of the Census State Data Center Program, a national network of 52 centers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The TDC serves as the State’s Liaison to the U.S. Census Bureau and is the official source of the Census Bureau’s demographic, economic and social statistics. To produce population estimates and projections, TDC uses complex mathematical computer modeling with data collected from federal, state, and local government sources.

The TDC is committed to knowledge sharing, providing training and technical assistance in accessing and using TDC and Census Bureau data for research, administration, planning and decision-making by local governments, state agencies, the Texas Legislature, the business community and other interested data users.

Since 2004, the Texas State Demographer, appointed by the Governor, has resided at UTSA, providing expert analysis and interpretations of demographic and related trends impacting the state to Texas legislators, legislative committees, state agencies, counties, municipalities, businesses and the non-profit sector. One of TDC’s unique and vital functions is the production of annual population estimates and biennial population projections. TDC is the sole organization that produces population projections for the State and counties, underscoring its significance in the state’s data landscape.

The Challenge

The population of Texas is growing more than any other state and the capacity of the Texas Demographic Center to produce and disseminate accurate and detailed data products used by the Legislature, State agencies, counties, cities and businesses is limited due to current funding levels. Accurate populations counts are vital to ensuring Texas receives the appropriate federal funding to support vital services in health, education and infrastructure.

Jason Hassay

UTSA Government Relations

o: 210.458.5102

m: 512.413.9598

jason.hassay@utsa.edu

Albert Carrisalez

UTSA Government Relations

o: 210.458.5138

m: 210.452.7557

albert.carrisalez@utsa.edu

Updated January 17, 2025

TEXAS DEMOGRAPHIC CENTER

The Challenge (continued)

The U.S. Census Bureau has a Research Data Center program and if UTSA were to participate as a branch, it would allow access to secure data that would enable more accurate and timely production of population estimates and projections. New methodologies have been developed that TDC could not yet incorporate into production, and there is an inadequate number of staff members to conduct research to refine the methodology and improve the accuracy, efficiency and timeliness of production. Resources for state demographic data production and dissemination lag behind many other similarly sized states. Expanded resources would enable substantial improvements in the quality and utility of demographic data and can result in improved efficiencies in the work of State agencies, counties, cities and businesses.

The Impact

The TDC serves the demographic data and informational needs of many state agencies, such as the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Water Development Board, the Health and Human Services Commission, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Texas Education Agency. TDC also provides demographic data to thousands of individual Texans, county, and city governments, businesses, and non-profit organizations and associations. TDC disseminates information through an annual conference, an affiliate network, a newsletter, the TDC website and social media. Special item funding allows the TDC to thoroughly assess, analyze and interpret data and meet the critical data needs of the Texas legislature and state agencies and to prepare for the 2030 Census.

Takeaway

State support ensures the TDC has the resources to produce quality and timely data, disseminate information and respond promptly to increasing data demands.