Area Census self-response rates lower than state average

By TONY FYFFE

BSN Editor

The U.S. Census Bureau has counted 93.4 percent of households in Kentucky as it wraps up its data-collection operations at the end of the month. The agency released self-response statistics Monday showing that the percentage of residents in Lawrence, Johnson, Floyd and Martin counties who have completed their Census survey online or by mail or phone is lower than the state average of 67.8 percent. In Lawrence County, 60.3 percent of households had responded to the Census questionnaire as of Sunday, including 30.6 percent via the Internet. In Johnson County, 59.2 percent had responded, with 34.9 percent completing the online survey. Statistics show 50.4 percent of Floyd County households have responded, including 29.1 percent using the Internet. In Martin County, 41 percent had finished the Census questionnaire, including 24.3 percent online. The Census Bureau urges households to participate in the data-collection process, noting that information gathered will determine how federal funds are spent.“ Census results shape the future of communities, as census data informs how billions of dollars in federal funds are distributed for health clinics, school lunch programs, disaster recovery initiatives, and other critical programs and services for the next 10 years,” the Census says on its website. The Census will compete its data gathering on Sept. 30.