From the Local News
Three out of four counties in northeast Indiana are responding to the 2020 Census at rates higher than the national and state averages, a new report shows.
DeKalb, LaGrange and Noble counties all are running ahead of the national average of 52% and the Indiana average of 56%.
DeKalb County leads the way at 59.4%, slightly ahead of LaGrange’s 59% and Noble’s 56.6%, while Steuben County trails at 45.3%.
The numbers measure the rates of self-response to the census, before census-takers try to track down those who have not responded.
Final reminder postcards were scheduled to arrive during the past week at homes where people had not yet responded to the census.
Starting May 13, census takers are scheduled to visit every household that has not already responded to make sure they are counted. During that time, households can still respond online, by phone, or by mail.
None of the local counties has yet matched its self-response rate for the 2010 census. Final self-response rates 10 years ago were led by 70.6% in DeKalb County, with Noble and LaGrange not far behind. Steuben showed only a 55.9% rate in 2010.
The U.S. Census Bureau also is reporting response rates for individual cities and towns. Garrett and Shipshewana lead the communities in this corner of the state, with 61.3% and 60.2%, respectively.
The region’s smaller towns tend to show the lowest rates of self-response, with several below 50% and even below 40%.
For the Full Article, visit KPCNEWS.COM
Bob Shanahan
Town Manager
