Fact check: What states had counting errors in the 2020 census

1. Summary of the results

Based on the Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, fourteen states experienced significant counting errors in the 2020 census ^[1].

Six states had significant undercounts:

• Arkansas: -5.04% undercount
• Florida: -3.48% undercount
• Illinois: -1.97% undercount
• Mississippi: -4.11% undercount
• Tennessee: -4.78% undercount
• Texas: -1.92% undercount

Eight states had significant overcounts:

• Delaware: +5.45% overcount
• Hawaii: +6.79% overcount
• Massachusetts: +2.24% overcount
• Minnesota: +3.84% overcount
• New York: +3.44% overcount
• Ohio: +1.49% overcount
• Rhode Island: +5.05% overcount
• Utah: +2.59% overcount ^{[1] [2]}

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question focuses solely on state-level errors but omits crucial demographic disparities that occurred nationwide. The 2020 Census systematically undercounted certain racial and ethnic groups while overcounting others ^[3]. Specifically:

• Undercounted populations: Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and American Indian or Alaska Native populations experienced significant undercounts
• Overcounted populations: Non-Hispanic White and Asian populations were overcounted ^[3]

The analyses reveal that census undercount has become a significant civil rights issue with far-reaching consequences ^[4]. The undercounts directly impact:

• Congressional representation and Electoral College votes - undercounted states lose political power
• Federal and state funding distribution - undercounted areas receive less government resources
• Difficulties in reaching hard-to-count populations continue to perpetuate these disparities ^[4]

The Census Bureau employs two different methodologies to assess counting accuracy: the Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) and Demographic Analysis Estimates (DA), which may produce different results ^[3].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question uses the neutral term "counting errors" which could be misleading, as it suggests random mistakes rather than systematic patterns. The data shows these were not random errors but followed clear demographic and geographic patterns ^{[4] [3]}.

The question's framing omits the political and financial implications of these miscounts. States with undercounts - particularly Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas - may lose congressional seats and federal funding, while overcounted states like Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Utah benefit from increased representation and resources ^{[1] [4]}.

By focusing only on state-level data, the question ignores the systematic undercounting of minority populations, which has been a persistent issue in census operations and represents a significant civil rights concern ^{[4] [3]}.