South Carolina has been singled out for praise for citizen participation of the 2010 census report.
While we’ve heard over and over of the importance of filling out and returning the once-a-decade census forms, in a report on final mail participation, both North and South Carolina have achieved the greatest percentage increase among all states.
It is believed that slightly more than 72 percent of the nation’s households mailed back their 2010 census form. That is the same rate achieved in 2000.
The last time the census was taken, South Carolina’s return was 65 percent. That has increased by eight percentage points to 73 percent. North Carolina’s returns jumped from 66 to 74 percent. Census Director Robert Groves says the response is very good despite declining trends over the past decade towards survey participation. He attributes that to a more diverse population, a difficult economic environment and a growing distrust of government.
Census workers are in training this week and will begin going door to door this weekend to help in providing accurate final figures.
