County Administration
THE CENSUS -- REQUIRED BY LAW, IMPACTS LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICES FUNDING
The U.S. Census Bureau conducted the country’s 10-year Census in the spring of 2010. The 2010 Census was a count of everyone living in the United States on April 1, 2010, mandated by the U.S. Constitution. All U.S. residents were to be counted – both citizens and non-citizens. Every year the federal government allocates more than $400 billion to states and communities based, in part, on Census data. Census data also determine boundaries for state and local legislative and congressional districts.
MAIL PARTICIPATION RESPONSE RATES
Mail participation rates tally the percentage of mail responses received as compared to the number of questionnaires sent out from the Census Bureau. 78% of Spotsylvania households participated in the 2010 Census by mailing their forms back, a strong response rate. The nationwide mail participation response rate was identified as 74%.
10 QUESTIONS
As part of the 2010 Census questionnaire, households were asked to provide key demographic information, including whether a housing unit is rented or owned, the address of the residence, and the names, genders, ages and races of others living in the household. By law, the U.S. Census Bureau cannot share an individual’s responses with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. U.S. Census Bureau officials are sworn to keep this information confidential for 72 years.
SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY -- AN ACTIVE PARTNER IN AN OPEN PROCESS
Beginning in spring of 2009, Spotsylvania County partnered with the U.S. Census Bureau toward the important goal of ensuring that the Spotsylvania community would be counted accurately. County staff initiated multiple Geographic Information Services (GIS) and public education efforts. A County staff Census Team was established, comprised of several department representatives. The County participated in the Greater Fredericksburg Virginia Area 2010 Census Community Forum held in October 2009 and the 2010 Census Road Tour in February 2010. (See important information below related to the redistricting process which followed the 2010 Census.) The Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors affirmed its support of and partnership with the 2010 Census through a December 8, 2009 Resolution. As a partner, Spotsylvania facilitated a Complete Count Committee (CCC), consisting of community leaders who worked toward building awareness of the 2010 Census. Complete Count Committee members focused on:
- Working as a community team to provide the cultural and community insights necessary to build 2010 Census awareness efforts
- Promoting the value of accurate and complete Census data
- Having a positive impact on the questionnaire response rate
The Complete Count Committee formed Business, Community-Organization, Education, Faith-Based, and Media Subcommittees to coordinate outreach efforts. The U.S. Census Bureau recognized the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors as a valued partner and offered appreciation for the Board's support in raising awareness of and inspiring participation in the 2010 Census, through plaques presented to Board members at the November 23, 2010 Work Session.
Resolution of the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors Affirming the Board's Support of and Partnership with the 2010 Census
U.S. Census Bureau Website: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/#2010_U.S._Census
STATE AND LOCAL REDISTRICTING INFORMATION
A staff Redistricting Working Group met 10 times in open meetings. Members of the community and groups were in attendance at all meetings, to partner in the County's redistricting process which included: awareness of the tight timeline to be followed after 2010 Census block data were received, commitment to adherence to the federal and state legal criteria to be followed as adopted by the Board of Supervisors on February 22, 2011, and transparency during this open process, as directed by the Board of Supervisors. Staff presented continuing updates at Board meetings about the status of the redistricting process and the opportunities for the community to add input. Community Input/Information meetings were held December 8, 2010, March 28, 2011 and April 11, 2011, at which the community made thoughtful public presentations. The Board adopted its Redistricting Plan on May 24, 2011. On June 3, 2011, the County Attorney's Office electronically submitted the "County of Spotsylvania, Virginia -- Submission of New Election Districts and Revisions to Precincts and Polling Places for Preclearance under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act" to the Department of Justice (DOJ). A Supplemental Submission of approved Minutes from two Board meetings at which redistricting was discussed was sent to DOJ on June 17, 2011. The County Attorney received a letter dated 7/22/11 wherein the Department of Justice stated "the Attorney General does not interpose any objection to the specified changes" outlined in the County's 2011 Redistricting Plan. This means that DOJ does not object to the Plan following their preclearance review. Citizens were (and continue to be) invited to contact staff with questions at: 507-7005 or ksmith@spotsylvania.va.us. The Voting Registration Office, a primary source of information regarding precinct lines and polling places, can be reached at: 507-7380 or voter@spotsylvania.va.us. The following information pertains to the County's 2011 Redistricting Process.
Background
- Redistricting Milestones
- State Redistricting Public Hearings
Citizen Feedback
- Comments by the Spotsylvania Citizens Roundtable for Political Action (SCRPA) -- 12/8/10
- Comments by the NAACP -- 12/8/10
- Comments by the Committee of 500 -- 12/8/10
- Committee of 500 Statement -- 3/28/11
- NAACP SCRPA Letter to Board of Supervisors -- 3/28/11
- Redistricting Proposal from Citizen Bill Blaine -- 3/28/11
- NAACP/SCRPA Proposed Redistricting Plan (Statement, Maps, Chart) -- 4/11/11
- Committee of 500 Statement and Map of Proposed Modified Salem District -- 4/11/11
- Statement of Citizen Bill Blaine -- 4/11/11
- NAACP/SCRPA Comments, Redistricting Public Hearing -- 5/24/11
- Committee of 500 Comments, Redistricting Public Hearing -- 5/24/11
Maps
- Spotsylvania 2010 Population Maps Shown on Districts Drawn in 2001 -- 2/18/11
- Spotsylvania 2010 Population Percentage Maps Shown on Districts Drawn in 2001 -- 2/18/11
- Spotsylvania Hispanic/Latino 2010 Population Shown on Districts Drawn in 2001 -- 3/3/11
- Spotsylvania 2010 Population by Race Shown on Districts Drawn in 2001 -- 3/3/11
- Scenario 1A Draft -- Overall County Map -- 4/4/11
-Scenario 1A Draft -- 7 Possible Districts -- 4/4/11
- Scenario 1A Draft -- Population Chart by Districts, Accompanies Maps of 4/4/11
- Scenario 2A Draft -- Overall County Map -- 4/7/11
- Scenario 2A Draft -- 7 Possible Districts -- 4/7/11
- Scenario 2A Draft -- Population Chart by Districts, Accompanies Maps of 4/7/11
- Scenario 2C Draft -- Overall County Map -- 4/22/11
- Scenario 2C Draft -- 7 Possible Districts -- 4/22/11
- Scenario 2C Draft -- Population Chart by Districts, Accompanies Maps of 4/22/11
- Scenario 2E Draft -- Overall County Map -- 4/22/11
- Scenario 2E Draft -- 7 Possible Districts -- 4/22/11
- Scenario 2E Draft -- Population Chart by Districts, Accompanies Maps of 4/22/11
- Scenario 1A Modified Draft -- Overall County Map -- 4/26/11, 7:30 p.m.
- Scenario 1A Modified Draft -- 7 Possible Districts -- 4/26/11, 7:30 p.m.
- Scenario 1A Modified Draft -- Population Chart by Districts, Accompanies Maps of 4/26/11, 7:30 p.m.
- Proposed Overall County Map of 7 Voting Districts, Precincts and Polling Places, for 5/24/11 Public Hearing
- Proposed Individual District Maps Showing Precincts and Polling Places, for 5/24/11 Public Hearing
- Scenario 1A Modified Overall County Map, Approved by the Board of Supervisors 5/24/11
- Individual Voting District Maps Showing Precincts and Polling Places, Approved by the Board 5/24/11
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The first two sets of maps dated 2/18/11 are based on data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau (link to data tables is below) as to total population by race. The U.S. Census bureau considers race categories to be: White, Black or African-American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; or some other race. National origin is a separate classification and individuals who identify themselves as Hispanic, Latino or Spanish may be members of any race group, and therefore are included in the population numbers for each race shown on the February 18th maps.
The second set of maps dated 3/3/11 also rely on U.S. Census data, but are different in that these maps provide population numbers that incorporate national origin by separating Hispanic, Latino and Spanish individuals from their racial classification in order to ensure they are accurately counted as a minority group.
At its 4/26/11 Work Session, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimoulsy for staff to proceed with Scenario 1A Modified as of 7:30 p.m. A public hearing on this Scenario is planned for May 24, 2011.
- U.S. Census Bureau -- American Fact Finder Data Tables
County Documents
- Local Redistricting Process Plan as of 11-24-10
- Redistricting 2011 Power Point
- Public Service Announcement -- December 8 Community Information/Citizen Input Meeting
- GIS Redistricting Power Point -- 12-8-10
- Minutes of 12/8/10 Citizen Info/Input Redistricting Meeting
- Power Point Presentation, Board of Supervisors 2/22/11 Work Session
- Local Redistricting Process Action Plan, Adopted by the Board 2/22/11
- Redistricting Criteria Evaluation Chart, Adopted by the Board 2/22/11
- Minutes of 3/28/11 Citizen Info/Input Redistricting Meeting
- Local Redistricting Process Meetings Schedule
- Local Redistricting Process Meetings Schedule -- Additions
- Minutes of 4/11/11 Citizen Info/Input Redistricting Meeting
- Redistricting Schedule -- Public Hearing 5/24/11
- Proposed Ordinance to Amend and Reordain Chapter 7, Elections, for 5/24/11 Public Hearing
- Final Ordinance Amending and Reordaining Chapter 7, Elections, Adopted by Board of Supervisors 5/24/11
- Approved Population by Districts Chart, Adopted by Board of Supervisors 5/24/11
department of justice submission
- Submission Letter to Department of Justice (DOJ) with Exhibit List -- 6/3/11
- DOJ Exhibit A -- Ordinance No. 7-10, Adopted 5/24/11
- DOJ Exhibit B -- Redline Changes to Ordinance 7-8
- DOJ Exhibit C -- Ordinance 7-8, Adopted 5/22/01
- DOJ Exhibit D -- Map -- Total White Population Prior to Redistricting -- 3/23/11
- DOJ Exhibit D -- Map -- Total Population Prior to Redistricting
- DOJ Exhibit D -- Map -- Total African-American Population Prior to Redistricting -- 3/23/11
- DOJ Exhibit D -- Map -- Total American Indian/Alaskan Native Population Prior to Redistricting -- 3/23/11
- DOJ Exhibit D -- Map -- Total Asian Population Prior to Redistricting -- 3/23/11
- DOJ Exhibit D -- Map -- Total Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander Population Prior to Redistricting -- 3/23/11
- DOJ Exhibit D -- Map -- Total Hispanic Population Prior to Redistricting -- 3/23/11
- DOJ Exhibit D -- Map -- Total Minority Population Prior to Redistricting -- 3/23/11
- DOJ Exhibit D -- Map -- Total Other Races Population Prior to Redistricting -- 3/23/11
- DOJ Exhibit D -- Map -- Total Population by District Prior to Redistricting -- 3/23/11
- DOJ Exhibit D -- Map -- Total Two or More Races Population Prior to Redistricting -- 3/23/11
- DOJ Exhibit D -- Map -- Total Voting Age Population Prior to Redistricting -- 3/23/11
- DOJ Exhibit E -- Map -- Total White Population After Redistricting -- 5/27/11
- DOJ Exhibit E -- Map -- Total African-American Population After Redistricting -- 5/27/11
- DOJ Exhibit E -- Map -- Total American-Indian/Alaskan Native Population After Redistricting -- 5/27/11
- DOJ Exhibit E -- Map -- Total Asian Population After Redistricting -- 5/27/11
- DOJ Exhibit E -- Map -- Total Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander Population After Redistricting -- 5/27/11
- DOJ Exhibit E -- Map -- Total Hispanic Population After Redistricting -- 5/27/11
- DOJ Exhibit E -- Map -- Total Minority Population After Redistricting -- 5/27/11
- DOJ Exhibit E -- Map -- Total Other Races Population After Redistricting -- 5/27/11
- DOJ Exhibit E -- Map -- Total Population by Districts After Redistricting -- 5/27/11
- DOJ Exhibit E -- Map -- Total Two or More Races Population After Redistricting -- 5/27/11
- DOJ Exhibit E -- Map -- Total Voting Age Population After Redistricting -- 5/27/11
- DOJ Exhibit F -- Map -- Current Districts and Precincts Prior to Redistricting -- 5/9/11
- DOJ Exhibit G -- Map -- 2011 Battlefield District Map -- Precincts & Polling Places -- Approved 5/24/11
- DOJ Exhibit G -- Map -- 2011 Berkeley District Map -- Precincts & Polling Places -- Approved 5/24/11
- DOJ Exhibit G -- Map -- 2011 Chancellor District Map -- Precincts & Polling Places -- Approved 5/24/11
- DOJ Exhibit G -- Map -- 2011 Courtland District Map -- Precincts & Polling Places -- Approved 5/24/11
- DOJ Exhibit G -- Map -- 2011 Lee Hill District Map -- Precincts & Polling Places -- Approved 5/24/11
- DOJ Exhibit G -- Map -- 2011 Livingston District Map -- Precincts & Polling Places -- Approved 5/24/11
- DOJ Exhibit G -- Map -- 2011 Salem District Map -- Precincts & Polling Places -- Approved 5/24/11
- DOJ Exhibit H -- Map -- African-American Population by Census Blocks Prior to Redistricting -- 5/9/11
- DOJ Exhibit H -- Map -- American Indian/Alaskan Native Population by Census Blocks Prior to Redistricting -- 5/9/11
- DOJ Exhibit H -- Map -- Asian Population by Census Blocks Prior to Redistricting -- 5/9/11
- DOJ Exhibit H -- Map -- Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Population by Census Blocks Prior to Redistricting -- 5/9/11
- DOJ Exhibit H -- Map -- Hispanic Population by Census Blocks Prior to Redistricting -- 5/9/11
- DOJ Exhibit H -- Map -- Other Races Population by Census Blocks Prior to Redistricting -- 5/9/11
- DOJ Exhibit H -- Map -- Two or More Races Population by Census Blocks Prior to Redistricting -- 5/9/11
- DOJ Exhibit H -- Map -- White Population by Census Blocks Prior to Redistricting -- 5/9/11
- DOJ Exhibit I -- Map -- White Population by Census Blocks After Redistricting -- 5/26/11
- DOJ Exhibit I -- Map -- African-American Population by Census Blocks After Redistricting -- 5/26/11
- DOJ Exhibit I -- Map -- Amer. Indian/Alaskan Native Population by Census Blocks After Redistricting -- 5/26/11
- DOJ Exhibit I -- Map -- Asian Population by Census Blocks After Redistricting -- 5/26/11
- DOJ Exhibit I -- Map -- Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander Population by Census Blocks After Redistricting -- 5/26/11
- DOJ Exhibit I -- Map -- Hispanic Population by Census Blocks After Redistricting -- 5/26/11
- DOJ Exhibit I -- Map -- Other Races Population by Census Blocks After Redistricting -- 5/26/11
- DOJ Exhibit I -- Map -- Two or More Races Population by Census Blocks After Redistricting -- 5/26/11
- DOJ Exhibit J -- Map -- Natural and Geographic Features -- 5/27/11
- DOJ Exhibit K -- Abstracts of Election Returns and Election Returns -- Part 1
- DOJ Exhibit K -- Abstracts of Election Returns and Election Returns -- Part 2
- DOJ Exhibit K -- Abstracts of Election Returns and Election Returns -- Part 3
- DOJ Exhibit K -- Abstracts of Election Returns and Election Returns -- Part 4
- DOJ Exhibit K -- Abstracts of Election Returns and Election Returns -- Part 5
- DOJ Exhibit L -- Number of Registered Voters Per Election
- DOJ Exhibit M -- Chronology of Spotsylvania County 2011 Redistricting Process
- DOJ Exhibit N -- Media Articles on 2011 Redistricting
- DOJ Exhibit O -- Public Notices -- Spotsylvania County 2011 Redistricting Process
- DOJ Exhibit P -- Staff Reports and Meeting Minutes, Part 1
- DOJ Exhibit P -- Staff Reports and Meeting Minutes, Part 2
- DOJ Exhibit Q -- Comments from the Public and Sign-In Sheets
- DOJ Exhibit R -- Redistricting Plans Submitted by the Public and Staff, Part 1
- DOJ Exhibit R -- Redistricting Plans Submitted by the Public and Staff, Part 2
- DOJ Exhibit S -- Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes
- DOJ Exhibit T -- Public Notice -- Submission of 2011 Redistricting Plan to Dept. of Justice
- (NOTE: U.S. Census Bureau "shapefiles" were also sent to the Department of Justice -- these files are downloaded to a disk -- copy on file in the Spotsylvania County Administration office.)
- Supplemental Submission -- Approved Minutes of Board of Supervisors 5/10/11 Meeting, submitted 6/17/11
- Supplemental Submission -- Approved Minutes of Board of Supervisors 5/24/11 Work Session, submitted 6/17/11
- Press Release Dated 7/26/11 -- "Spotsylvania's 2011 Redistricting Plan Clears Department of Justice Preclearance Review
U.S. Census Bureau Data
- Census 2010 Population Data Reported to VA 2/3/11
- Spotsylvania Population Data -- American Fact Finder Summary File -- 2/18/11
Last update 7/27/11