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New population estimates will determine tax revenue to schools

Local districts have until Sept. 30 to request revisions before figures become final
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Virginia’s school districts now have an inkling of how they’ll fare in upcoming state-government funding.

The Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia has released its annually updated estimate of school-age population, which serves to determine the allocation of sales-tax revenue to school districts statewide.

The new figures are based on mid-2023 population totals, and include all youth ages 5 to 19 plus those ages 2-4 and 20-21 eligible for special-education services.

Fairfax County’s estimated youth population is 226,954, while Arlington’s is 36,837.

School districts have until Sept. 30 to request a review, and potential revision, of data for their localities. After that, the estimates become final and will be used to determine sales-tax distribution when the revised state budget is released in December.

For full data, including methodology, see the Website at https://www.coopercenter.org/virginia-school-data/.