Responses for the 2020 census continue to be completed; however, as of August 24th, only 56.8% of Smith County residents had responded. The current response rate of the county is 9.2 percentage points less than the final self-response rate in 2010. The county’s response rate is also 7.0 percentage points less than the statewide rate of 63.8%.
The decennial census takes place every ten years to count all residents living in the United States. The census data is used for a variety of purposes from political representation, including the appointment of each state’s number of seats in the House of Representatives and redistricting of legislative districts to the determination of the amounts of federal funds for the state and local governments. The private sector also uses the census as businesses make many decisions using the data collected.
This year’s census was scheduled to finish on July 31 but has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Residents can fill out the 2020 census at www.2020census.gov, by phone at 844-330-2020, or in writing using the questionnaire they received in the mail.
