The city of Fayetteville could reap more than $2.2 million over the next four years after preliminary results of a special census showed the city had 9,000 more residents since its last census in 2000.
The census’ preliminary numbers counted 67,020 people and 31,392 housing units in Fayetteville.
Though cities are required to have a census every 10 years, some cities pay for a special census in between the required ones because the state’s monthly turnback funds are distributed based on population.
The $922,885 Fayetteville paid for its census will yield an added $2.25 million in turnbacks between now and the next census, in 2010, based on early numbers.
The state could still have some added expenses for the census, but the total price tag will be pretty close to the money already spent, according to Susan Thomas, Fayetteville’s public information and policy adviser.
And even though Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning officials projected Fayetteville’s population to be 70,351, or about 3,000 more than preliminary numbers show, Thomas said the census was worth the price because of the more than $1 million it will net from the special census.
Most of the turnback money, about $1.7 million, will go to the city’s street fund, and its general revenue fund will receive $560,000.
Earlier this year Conway announced preliminary results of its special census, which showed the city had grown by 21 percent, to 52,262, since 2000. After paying about $600,000 for the census, Conway stands to net about $2.2 million between now and 2010.
Springdale completed a special census late last year showing its population had grown from 45,798 to 62,459 since 2000.
And in April Bentonville released preliminary results of a special census that showed its population had increased from 19,730 in 2000 to 28,478.
Other Arkansas towns that conducted a special census since 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, include Centerton, Elkins, Farmington and Guy.
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