Reports

The Texas Demographic Center analyzed historic (2010) data with and without differential privacy. Significant improvements in data accuracy were observed in the new demonstration data, especially in version 12.2 with a higher privacy loss budget. However, smaller populations and specific demographic groups still face disproportionate impact from differential privacy.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sought comments on recommendations regarding population thresholds for metropolitan and micropolitan statistical area standards. Currently, urban areas with 50,000 or more people are considered metropolitan, and those with 10,000 to 49,999 are micropolitan. The proposed change suggests raising the minimum population for metropolitan areas to 100,000. If implemented, six current Texas metropolitan areas would become micropolitan, resulting in 21 metropolitan and 50 micropolitan statistical areas for Texas in 2020.