The final tallies are in: 74 percent of Buncombe residents mailed in their census forms compared to 72 percent nationally. The Buncombe participation rate was 5 percent higher than it was when the last census was taken in 2000, while the national rate stayed the same.
On May 1, census takers will begin going door-to-door to households that did not mail back the form. They will also verify housing units indicated as “unoccupied” by the Postal Service.
The 2010 Census is a constitutionally mandated count of everyone living in the U.S. The data is used to apportion congressional seats, distribute federal funds and make decisions about what community services to provide.
The original March 30 blog post:
Buncombe residents are mailing in their census forms at a 2-percent higher rate than the national average, according to statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. New interactive Google Maps that detail participation rates across the country show that 52 percent of Buncombe residents have mailed in the forms since receiving them approximately two weeks ago, compared to 50 percent nationally.
The bureau released the maps and corresponding data as part of its new “Take 10” initiative, a campaign to encourage participation in the mail-in program and highlight its benefits to taxpayers.
The bureau estimates that for every percentage point increase in mail-in response, taxpayers will save an estimated $85 million in federal funds. Those funds would otherwise be required to send field workers to collect responses in-person from households that don’t mail back the form.
The 2010 Census is a constitutionally mandated count of everyone living in the U.S. The data is used to apportion congressional seats, distribute federal funds and make decisions about what community services to provide.
Track Buncombe’s participation rate here:
The bureau plans to update the maps daily. Click here.
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