Hastings right to challenge census figures

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The U.S. Census Bureau dealt the city of Hastings a blow recently with a population estimate figure that saddles the community with the damaging — and possibly erroneous  — title of the state's top population loser.

City officials vigorously deny this, and may challenge the count. There is enough at stake to warrant the effort.

This latest figure came not from the every-10-years nationwide nose count. This is one of the bureau's regular interim estimations of population losses or gains. The agency's estimate, done in 2004 and released recently, showed that Hastings had lost more residents than any other Nebraska city since the 2000 count.

News of the bustling city's diminished population status hit City Hall and the business community hard.

To the Census Bureau, the estimate is merely a cold figure, arrived at undoubtedly after much proven research and calculation.

But to Hastings' community leaders looking to add jobs, homes and a healthy tax base, it is a setback to a lot of hard work they've put in to make their city grow.

Hastings is among Nebraska cities that understand the value and potential of steady, responsible municipal growth. Its mayor, Matt Rossen, and other city leaders have shown admirable initiative in annexing housing developments previously outside the city limits. Many believe that some of the population drain might have been caused by people moving outside Hastings to avoid higher housing costs.

Hastings' present civic attitude contrasts greatly to that of other cities that do not welcome or seek out expansion. Undoubtedly, Hastings would welcome the growth opportunities that Lincoln, for instance, often seems loathe to embrace.

The go-getter attitude that over the years has kept Hastings' population steady between 23,000 and 24,000 — without benefit of a major artery like Interstate 80 — is wounded by the low-population estimate. A struggling, vital city such as Hastings certainly does not need the albatross of a "dying city" reputation around its neck when talking to prospective employers.

There is much to be gained by challenging the estimates. Mayor Rossen points out that such challenges are often successful in revising populations upward. The estimators do not count noses, but rely on arcane statistics such as building permits, differences between births and deaths and IRS records. These types of rough calculations are probably sufficient to suit the Census Bureau's needs for population estimates. It is only an estimate, after all.

Rossen and other civic boosters are to be congratulated for their efforts to bring Hastings along to its present bustling self.

Perhaps, though, more study into challenging the census figures should be pursued. A committee could be formed to look into the way the data were collected and see if any spongy assumptions could be uncovered. It might prove worthwhile.