2010 Census response rate surprisingly close to 2000 rate

The percentage of households that have mailed back their Census forms could top the 2000 response rate — a major accomplishment in the face of growing suspicion of government, swelling population and increased diversity.

The participation rate hit 71% Tuesday, just one point below the 2000 Census rate. The U.S. population has grown almost 10% since 2000, to an estimated 309 million.

"I think we'll match the performance of 2000, which is significant given the economic situation and the levels of mistrust about government in general that didn't exist in 2000," says Steven Jost, associate director for communications. A Pew Research Center survey out this week shows that only 22% of Americans said they can trust the government in Washington most of the time, among the lowest measures in half a century.

The Census mail-back period officially ended Friday, but forms are expected to trickle in at least through the end of this week. That could push the rate over 72%. Starting May 1, 650,000 Census workers will visit every home that did not return a form, at an average cost of $56 a household. Matching the 2000 participation rate would save $425 million.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2010-04-20-census-participation-rate_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Conservative ones.

The report was interesting, because it failed to say that the areas had very low populations. Absurdly low ones. And taht the response rate was pretty much the same as in 2000.

It also failed to say that these weren't the counties with the lowest response rate. Nor did it point out that the conservative counties still have a hefty "underserved" population, many of which weren't voters, and there was no indication as to how the citizens/voters' response rate compared with the non-citizens' or non-voters'.

But it made people feel good and gave some yet another chance to show that they werne't interested in democracy but in a Democratcracy.

News is more exciting with anti-government tea-baggers screaming at the top of their lungs vs. a nice old grandma just filling out the form and walking it to the mailbox.

Makes ya wonder if November is really going to be as great for Republicans as they think it will..

:rofl: