Hard-to-Count is the first reason I was told for the pay-grade disparity and why the government does not have Equal Pay Grade for Equal Work for this job. What is Hard-to-Count? A Census tract is considered Hard-to-Count (HTC) if its Self-Response Rate in the Decennial Census was 73% or less. Low self-response rate = Hard-To-Count (HTC)

Also, considered in the hard-to-count category are households with young children, complex households, anti government sentiment, short-term renters, language other than English spoken at home, migrants, minorities, informal settlements, remote and rural, homelessness, sparsely settled areas of Alaska and Maine, etc.

Using 2020 Census Hard-to-Count data visualization indicates that hard-to-count using the self-response rates was not used to determine field grade level. Looking at data visualization of the mainland USA, from hardest to count to easiest – dark orange, white and light blue being the hardest to count and dark blue the easiest. It is clear hard-to-count was not a factor in determining pay grade level since Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and many mid-western and southern states are the hardest to count and yet, have the lowest GS promotion opportunity levels.

How do we know the lowest GS Grades are the hardest to count? Just go look at the recruitment bulletins? Look for jobs by state.

Pay grade matters in the federal government it determines promotion opportunities.

When I disproved the Hard-to-Count rationale to management, HQ back-peddled added a few other reasons.