New Census data shows some cities have a lot of residents who consume more public services than they contribute in taxes. That can cause fiscal problems down the road.
Demographic data can say a lot about who lives in a city. It can also be an indicator of that city’s finances.
Generally speaking, if a city has a high number of residents who consume more public resources than they contribute to the tax base, there will more likely be potential problems for that city’s fiscal outlook.
New 2015 estimates from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey published Thursday provide an updated demographic snapshot for localities. We’ve compiled data on a few key measures — poverty, aging populations and employment status — for the 500 largest cities, showing places facing steeper demographic hurdles.
GOVERNING.COM
BY MIKE MACIAG | SEPTEMBER 15, 2016