Cedar Park’s population appeal denied

U.S. Census Bureau rules city had 48,932 residents in 2010

Cedar Park city officials have no available recourse following the U.S. Census Bureau’s ruling that 48,932 people lived within the city limits in April 2010. The city challenged census findings in August 2011, claiming to have 54,279 residents.

The Census Bureau discovered an error in the original population count of 48,937. According to the Census Bureau’s May report, five people were miscounted as Cedar Park residents and should have instead been included in Leander’s population. Cedar Park spokeswoman Jennie Huerta said the result will not change the city’s plans or internal resident tally.

“The 2010 census’ discrepancy does not affect planning for our city’s continued rapid growth,” she said. “We will stay on course with our comprehensive planning process, as we project the city and its [extraterritorial jurisdiction] will be built out with a total population of about 100,000 within the next 10 years.”

The city expected the official census population to total at least 50,000, which is often a benchmark for economic development and transportation initiatives. Many retail businesses and restaurants base their locations on population, per-capita income and disposable incomes, Economic Development Director Phil Brewer said.

Despite not reaching an official population of 50,000 or more, the city budget affords takeover of traffic signal maintenance on some roadways within the city limits, including US 183, Parmer Lane and FM 1431, currently operated by the Texas Department of Transportation.

“[It] would give us the ability to control traffic signal timing and respond to flashing signals and other signal emergencies, thereby improving traffic flow in our fast-growing community,” Huerta said.