Counting on good results

As the 2010 Census is working hard collecting its information, it is not too early to think about the decennial census’ impact. Since Hickman County is home to Turney Center Industrial Complex, a Tennessee Department of Corrections facility with a capacity of around 1,500, how (or rather where) prison inmates are counted has been an issue rural communities like Hickman County have been working on for a while. Prison populations affect the demographic profiles of their current home communities — increasing populations, influencing racial profiles and (usually) raising educational attainment percentages. When the census is completed, redistricting for local, state and federal legislative seats will occur based on the results. For more on this topic, check out “Forum to focus on new options for inmate count” in The Rural Blog.