Governor Pleased with Census Response, Encourages Participation

Press Release

Gov. Mike Rounds said he is pleased with the participation of South Dakotans in the 2010 Census, but he urges those who have not returned their census forms to do so today.

"South Dakota has been among the top five states in the country in 2010 Census participation since forms started going out in March," Rounds said. "I want to thank those who have already sent in their census responses, and I encourage those who have not done so yet to please fill out the forms and mail them back as soon as possible."

South Dakota's Census return rate of 62 percent, as of Tuesday, was the highest in the nation.

Census data help determine how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed to state, tribal and local governments to fund services for people in need. Data from the 2010 Census will help establish locations for hospitals, senior centers and facilities for people with disabilities. The information will also help forecast transportation needs, such as new roads and public transit options.

One of the shortest census forms in U.S. Census history, the 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Responses to the census form should include everyone who will be living at the address as of Census Day, April 1, 2010, the official day of the population count.
Returning those forms ensures an accurate count and lowers the cost of the 2010 Census by reducing the number of census workers who must go door-to-door to collect census data. About $85 million is saved for every one percent increase in mail participation. Additionally, the Census Bureau saves $60-$70 per census form returned by mail.

"An accurate snapshot of South Dakota will be vital to many important decisions that will be made for the state over the next 10 years," Gov. Rounds said. "We can only get an accurate picture of the state population when everyone fills out and returns the 2010 Census forms."

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