Michigan and Ohio Declare a 'Tie' in Their Race for the Higher 2010 Census Mail Participation Rate

Both States Surpass National Average

WASHINGTON, April 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert Groves today congratulated the residents and governors of Michigan and Ohio following the announcement that their friendly wager to see which state achieved the higher 2010 Census mail participation rate as of April 22, 2010, ended in a tie.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)

In both states, 75 percent of households mailed back their 2010 Census forms prior to the Earth Day deadline they imposed for purposes of the challenge.  Interestingly, both states also tied during the 2000 Census.  

"Even though neither state 'won' this challenge, in reality they both won," Groves said. "A strong mail response rate increases the likelihood that each state will achieve a complete and accurate count. This will help ensure that both Michigan and Ohio get their fair share of federal funding and congressional representation."

Earlier this month, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland took on the 2010 Census "Take 10" Challenge to inspire their communities to achieve higher mail participation rates than they achieved during the 2000 Census. Even though the Census Bureau has not announced the final mail participation rates, the states chose the Earth Day deadline in their challenge to coordinate an Arbor Day victory presentation. The winning state was to donate a specimen from their state tree for planting in a spot chosen by the state that didn't win. With the challenge ending in a tie, each state will plant their state tree in honor of the wager.

"I appreciate that so many Ohioans took the time to stand up and be counted and I'm proud that we rallied back from a deficit of several points to tie Michigan," Strickland said.  "In the end, both states are winners and several percentage points ahead of the national average.  I thank my friend Gov. Granholm for proposing this friendly competition between our two states.  And I encourage those Ohioans who have not yet responded to make themselves available to census workers in the coming weeks.  An accurate count will ensure Ohio receives resources for education, job-training services and infrastructure projects that will help us build a stronger Ohio."

"Michigan citizens are responding to the census in record numbers, making them the real  champions in the friendly wager with our neighbors to the south," said Granholm.  "By returning their census forms they are ensuring that Michigan will get its share of more than $400 billion in federal funding.  Governor Strickland is a good friend and I am pleased we provided him with an added incentive to get Ohioans to respond to the census in record numbers, too.  To my fellow Michiganians who have not yet responded to the census, we look forward to you being included in our final census count. And to my fellow Governor I say, you're welcome."  

The Census Bureau will post updates to the participation rate on its Web site (http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/) through today, and plans to announce results at an April 28 news conference in Washington.

Nationwide, 71 percent of households had mailed back their census forms as of Thursday, April 22. The "Take 10" Challenge for the nation is to exceed the mail participation rate of 72 percent achieved a decade ago — when America reversed a three-decade decline in mail participation.

Beginning May 1, hundreds of thousands of census takers will begin visiting households that did not return or receive a census form.

ABOUT THE 2010 CENSUS

The 2010 Census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Census data are used to apportion congressional seats to states, to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to tribal, state and local governments each year and to make decisions about what community services to provide. The 2010 Census form is one of the shortest in U.S. history, consisting of 10 questions, taking about 10 minutes to complete. Strict confidentiality laws protect the respondents and the information they provide.

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau