Washington, D.C. — A new episode of the CitiesSpeak podcast from the National League of Cities (NLC) features a panel discussion from the 2026 Congressional City Conference focused on the importance of an accurate census count and how local leaders can begin preparing now for 2030. Released in recognition of National Census Day, the episode explores how census data shapes political representation and directs critical federal funding to communities across the country.
During the episode, local leaders and experts reflect on the real-world consequences of census undercounts, offering perspective on how cities can take proactive steps to ensure their residents are fully counted. The conversation highlights federal funding impacts, community outreach strategies and the importance of early preparation for the 2030 census.
Highlights from the Conversation
On why the census matters for local communities:
“At its core, the census is a simple count of the people who live in our communities, but its impact is profound.” — Kevin Kramer, NLC President and Councilmember, Louisville, KY
On the consequences of an undercount:
“If you miss it on the census, then you’re behind the eight ball for 10 years.” — Mayor Doug Sprouse, Springdale, AR
On preparing for a complete count:
“If you’re not on the Census Bureau’s address list, you’re probably not going to get counted.” — Joel Alvarez, Director of the Population Division, New York City
Listen to the full conversation, also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
About CitiesSpeak
Each episode of NLC’s podcast, CitiesSpeak with Clarence Anthony, dives into a critical issue facing local leaders today, featuring conversations with elected leaders and policy experts from across the country. The podcast is a relaxed and entertaining resource for local policymakers looking for ideas and information to bring back to their communities. The podcast is hosted by NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence Anthony, who previously served as mayor of South Bay, Florida for two decades.
New, episodes of CitiesSpeak are available on all major podcasting platforms and on YouTube. If you have feedback for the show or ideas for future guests, email us at citiesspeakpodcast@nlc.org. Happy listening!
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