BY JENNIFER BAILEY
Commercial-News
DANVILLE —
Danville and Vermilion County surpassed the national Census mail participation rate.
And Vermilion County surpassed the state’s rate.
According to the Census Bureau, the Chicago Region led all 12 Census Bureau regions with a 77 percent mail participation rate, with the region’s three states — Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin — posting rates of 75 percent, 78 percent and 81 percent, respectively.
Each state surpassed the national average rate of 72 percent; Wisconsin’s 81 percent rate led all 50 states; and Illinois and Indiana both topped their Census 2000 rates by two percentage points.
Inside Danville, the mail back response rate was 75 percent, “which is right at what was hoped for,” according to Danville Planning and Zoning Manager Chris Milliken.
The countywide rate was at 76 percent.
“We have not heard anything as far as population data. The earliest we will get anything is January 2011 is what I was told,” Milliken said through e-mail.
The Census 2010 National Participation Rate was 72 percent. The same as in 2000.
The rates are those achieved prior to the cut-off for door-to-door non-response, follow-up operations. Final rates will be posted in the fall and will include late mail returns.
The Census is used for reapportioning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and the distribution of more than $300 billion in federal dollars every year to state and local governments to help pay for roads, parks, housing, schools and public safety.
For every person not counted, Illinois will lose $12,000 during the next 10 years in federal funding.
The new census numbers also will come into play with redrawing a new city ward map.
