City leaders in South Pittsburg knew something wasn’t right after taking a look at the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2010 report, which showed the city shrinking by nearly 300 people.
The original census showed South Pittsburg’s population had dropped from 3,295 residents in the 2000 census to 2,992 in 2010.
Such a drop would mean a decrease in population costs money, which is needed to help operate the city.
Last week, city officials got the news that 117 people had been added to the official 2010 number, bringing the total to 3,109.
Mayor Mike Killian told city administrators in August 2011 that the process of having the census appealed “may have a little pain with it,” but it was a necessary process.
City Administrator Bently Thomas told the Times Free Press (http://bit.ly/O0mAEQ), ”Even though the process took well over a year, the fight was worthwhile.”
“The reason that is so good for us is that we get state-shared taxes per capita per person that we have in the city,” Thomas said. “For this year, that was $106.25 per person.”
The new count increases the city’s revenue by $12,431, which will mean approximately $100,000 in additional funds for the city until the 2020 census.
Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press
