Schaumburg count shows more people

For all practical purposes, Schaumburg's population has grown by 550 people since the 2000 census, meaning that state funding for the village will increase by $63,250 per year.

The results of a recent count bring the village's total population up to 75,936. The number of dwelling units in the village also has increased by 285 to 33,378 since 2000.

The village's population growth and changed demographics were revealed this week after the completion of a special census conducted earlier this year in six subdivisions built since 2000.

But the findings go against the grain of the U.S. Census Bureau, which is estimating that Schaumburg's population has decreased by nearly 3,000 people in the last seven years.

The Census Bureau estimates Schaumburg's 2007 population has fallen to 72,690, from 75,386 in 2000.

Schaumburg Village Manager Ken Fritz said the Bureau estimate "makes no sense," since Schaumburg has added new housing since 2000. He added the Bureau has never properly explained the rationale of its estimates.

Robert Bernstein, a public affairs specialist for the Census Bureau, said such estimates are based on a complicated formula that takes into account new building permits and county-wide changes, among other things.

Whatever the Bureau estimates, the additional 550 residents counted in the special census will mean $63,250 per year to Schaumburg.

The special census itself cost $100,000, which means it won't pay for itself fully until the second year.

Schaumburg estimates it'll clear an additional $153,000 between 2008 and 2011 that it wouldn't have without the special census.

"It insures we get our fair share from the state," said Trustee Jack Sullivan, who chairs the planning, building and development committee. "It helps enhance the services to those areas, because that's how we pay for the services."

This state funding comes from any and all taxes that have a per capita formula, like income tax, motor fuel tax and user taxes, Fritz said.

Some rapidly growing communities conduct a special census almost annually.

"For a village like ours that's pretty built out, it would be a fairly useless thing," Sullivan said.

The special census results indicate Asian residents are a slightly larger part of the village population, up from 14.2 to 14.9 percent.

The percentage of Hispanic residents also has increased, from 5.3 to 5.5 percent.

The significant increase in the Asian population -- 25 percent of the new residents counted by the special census -- further justifies a grant from the Chicago Community Trust to reach out to Schaumburg's South Asian community, said Economic Development Director Matt Frank.

With the grant money, the village and Schaumburg Business Association are looking for reasons why the number of South Asians in the village isn't matched by an equivalent involvement in business and community organizations, and try to change that.

But the census results themselves don't incur any new responsibilities for providing services, Frank said.

While the median age of the entire village in 2000 was 35.3 years old, the median age of the 550 new residents in 2007 is 33.8 years old.

New subdivisions counted by the special census were Cloisters, Clifden Cove, Old Town Rowhouses, Arbor Glen, Georgetown and Lion's Gate.