|
|
|
The western suburbs did their homework on the 2010 census, possibly putting them in a better spot to benefit from an accurate count.
After mailing in 80 percent or more of the forms — better than the state and national average — many towns are less likely to see door-to-door census-takers in the next few weeks.
Last week, the U.S. Census Bureau moved into the next phase of the survey, hiring people to follow up with residents who did not send in the 10-question form that was sent out this spring.
Kane County residents mailed in 80 percent of the completed forms, and DuPage County residents finished 81 percent. Many suburban Cook County towns posted similar numbers, though Chicago’s comparably low participation rate pulled down the countywide average to 69 percent.
Towns that posted lower returns mean more census workers going door-to-door to follow up.
“With a higher rate of return, that’s less work to do,” said census spokeswoman Muriel Jackson.
Within the three counties, dozens of towns posted participation rates well above 80 percent.
Wheaton, with 85 percent responding, tied for fourth-best response rate nationwide among cities with more than 50,000 people.
Bartlett saw an 84 percent participation rate, while Carol Stream had 80 percent participation and Glendale Heights had 83 percent.
Steve Bosco, assistant to the village administrator, said Bartlett residents were better informed about the importance of the census this year than in the past.
“We had generally no complaints,” he said. “The U.S. Census (Bureau) and the village did a pretty good job getting the information out there and getting people ready.”
Bosco attributed Bartlett’s high response rate this year to special censuses that were taken in 2005 and 2007, in which the response was greater than 80 percent. Because the village of
Bartlett used short forms to conduct the special censuses, people were better prepared for the similar form used this year, Bosco said.
“People are more willing to use the short form because it only takes a few minutes to fill out and includes less personal information,” Bosco said. “It keeps people in the groove.”
Municipalities that have all of their residents counted in the census stand to earn their full share of state tax dollars.
A tenth of Illinois’ income tax is returned to cities and towns, and it is dispersed based on census population — money for every man, woman and child. Towns are poised to earn roughly $79 per person from the fiscal year that ended April 30, according to the Illinois Municipal League.
The western suburbs did their homework on the 2010 census, possibly putting them in a better spot to benefit from an accurate count.
After mailing in 80 percent or more of the forms — better than the state and national average — many towns are less likely to see door-to-door census-takers in the next few weeks.
Last week, the U.S. Census Bureau moved into the next phase of the survey, hiring people to follow up with residents who did not send in the 10-question form that was sent out this spring.
Kane County residents mailed in 80 percent of the completed forms, and DuPage County residents finished 81 percent. Many suburban Cook County towns posted similar numbers, though Chicago’s comparably low participation rate pulled down the countywide average to 69 percent.
Towns that posted lower returns mean more census workers going door-to-door to follow up.
“With a higher rate of return, that’s less work to do,” said census spokeswoman Muriel Jackson.
Within the three counties, dozens of towns posted participation rates well above 80 percent.
Wheaton, with 85 percent responding, tied for fourth-best response rate nationwide among cities with more than 50,000 people.
Bartlett saw an 84 percent participation rate, while Carol Stream had 80 percent participation and Glendale Heights had 83 percent.
Steve Bosco, assistant to the village administrator, said Bartlett residents were better informed about the importance of the census this year than in the past.
“We had generally no complaints,” he said. “The U.S. Census (Bureau) and the village did a pretty good job getting the information out there and getting people ready.”
Bosco attributed Bartlett’s high response rate this year to special censuses that were taken in 2005 and 2007, in which the response was greater than 80 percent. Because the village of
Bartlett used short forms to conduct the special censuses, people were better prepared for the similar form used this year, Bosco said.
“People are more willing to use the short form because it only takes a few minutes to fill out and includes less personal information,” Bosco said. “It keeps people in the groove.”
Municipalities that have all of their residents counted in the census stand to earn their full share of state tax dollars.
A tenth of Illinois’ income tax is returned to cities and towns, and it is dispersed based on census population — money for every man, woman and child. Towns are poised to earn roughly $79 per person from the fiscal year that ended April 30, according to the Illinois Municipal League.
Revenue from a motor fuel tax is distributed the same way. That tax will bring in $25 per person.
For smaller towns that do not regularly conduct their own population counts, an inaccurate census could have revenue implications beyond just next year, said Larry Frang, executive director of the Illinois Municipal League.
“Every person you miss, you miss for 10 years,” he said.
LOCAL NUMBERS:
Addison 77
Bartlett 84
Batavia 85
Berwyn 69
Brookfield 76
Burr Ridge 81
Carol Stream 80
Clarendon Hills 83
Cicero 61
Countryside 76
Darien 84
Downers Grove 84
Elmhurst 85
Glen Ellyn 81
Glendale Heights 83
Hinsdale 82
Lemont 84
La Grange 84
La Grange Park 84
Lombard 80
Riverside 80
St. Charles 83
Villa Park 79
Warrenville 83
Westchester 83
Westmont 75
West Chicago 76
Wheaton 85
Willowbrook 78
Winfield 88
Woodridge 79
