From Boreal Community Media - June 5, 2020

Minnesota on Wednesday reported more than 70 percent self response rate, only 20.4% of Cook County residents responding.

Responses to the 2020 Census are on track as more than 60 percent of U.S. households have responded to the 2020 Census, and Minnesota leading the states.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports four out of every five households that responded on their own choose to do so online at 2020census.gov. Current internet self-response rates are 9.2 percentage points above Census Bureau projections, as households continue to favor online to phone and mail in responding to the census.

In a video message, Census Bureau Director Dr. Steven Dillingham thanked people for responding to reach this milestone and encouraged those who have not responded to help shape their future for the next 10 years.

In mid-March, most households received an invitation in the mail to respond to the 2020 Census, followed by multiple reminders and a paper questionnaire. Census takers are scheduled to visit households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census beginning in August.

Beginning the week of May 4, in coordination with federal, state and local health officials, the Census Bureau began a phased restart of some 2020 Census field operations in select geographic areas. As part of this phased restart, the Census Bureau resumed dropping off 2020 Census invitation packets at front doors in areas where the majority of households do not receive mail at their home. About 5% of households are counted during this operation, known as Update Leave, where census workers confirm or update a household’s physical location address and then leave a census questionnaire packet.

The health and safety of Census Bureau staff and the public is of the utmost importance. All returning staff will receive safety training on social distancing protocols and be provided personal protective equipment before restarting operations.

More information about the 2020 Census

The Census Bureau’s online response rates map shows response rates by state, city, county and census tract. As of May 25, 2020:

• Madison, Wis., is the city with the highest internet self-response rate.
• Minnesota and Utah have the highest internet response rates among states.

The 10 states with the highest self-response rates are:

1. Minnesota 70.0%

2. Wisconsin 67.4%

3. Iowa 66.9%

4. Michigan 66.7%

5. Nebraska 66.5%

6. Washington 65.4%

7. Ohio 65.3%

8. Illinois 65.2%

8. Virginia 65.2%

9. Indiana 64.9%

The 10 cities/municipalities with 250,000 or more population with the highest self-response rates are:

1. Lincoln, Neb. 72.8%

2. Louisville/Jefferson County Metro, Ky. 71.6%

3. Madison, Wis. 70.6%

4. Seattle, Wash. 69.8%

5. Henderson, Nev. 69.3%

6. St. Paul, Minn. 69.2%

7. San Jose, Calif. 68.5%

8. Portland, Ore. 67.8%

9. Virginia Beach, Va. 67.6%

9. Minneapolis, Minn. 67.6%

9. Colorado Springs, Colo. 67.6%