WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Census Bureau responded to Senator Rand Paul’s efforts to secure a vital reform in the 2020 census by changing its rules to count all deployed service members at the residence prior to their deployment. Previously, the census instead counted soldiers temporarily deployed for overseas contingency operations by their home of record, an address they gave when they enlisted.
 
“I applaud the Census Bureau for adopting my proposal to ensure our service members are properly counted in the census. They listened to the people of Kentucky, who experienced the consequences of the census’ inaccurate reporting directly in 2010 and took action,” said Sen. Paul.
 
“In addition to creating one consistent and logical method for counting deployed service members, today’s change will better enable communities to support our soldiers and their families. This proves what can happen when concerned citizens get involved, and I urge Kentuckians to join me in contacting the Census Bureau in support of this revision before the final comment period expires at the end of July.”
 
Sen. Paul responded to his constituents’ concerns about the Census Bureau’s reporting by contacting the Bureau and introducing the “Service Members and Communities Count Act” in 2015. Today’s change essentially incorporates Sen. Paul’s legislation into the Census Bureau’s rules. While the region around Fort Campbell, Kentucky, had grown greatly since the 2000 census, the 2010 census did not accurately reflect this growth due to the Bureau’s then-current policy on counting deployed service members.
 
Kelli Pendleton, President of Kentucky’s Christian County Chamber of Commerce, commented on the importance of the change, noting, “When a census count happens during a division deployment, it has a large impact on our local economy and regional data.” She also thanked Sen. Paul for his leadership on the issue, saying, “Our Chamber has been advocating for this issue for many years, and we appreciate Senator Paul’s support in helping to make this happen.”
 
Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Mayor Carter Hendricks added that his community is “pleased to see this important change,” and he thanked “Senator Paul’s leadership and the efforts of our Kentucky Congressional delegation.” Mayor Hendricks also said that the revision is “critical, as these are the very communities that provide the support necessary for the men and women of the U.S. Army to succeed in their mission at hand when they deploy.”
 
The public is encouraged to submit their comments on this issue HERE.