Chase County lagging behind a bit on U.S. Census response

    In a look at 2020 county-by-county U.S. Census response, Chase County has one of the lower percentages in Nebraska.
    State and local leaders alike are encouraging Nebraskans to make an effort to complete the Census questions for themselves, their families and communities.
    And, the city of Imperial is adding some additional incentives.
    Imperial residents are being challenged by city officials to beat the statewide response rate, said Community Development Director Tyler Pribbeno.
    A free movie night for the community will be set if Imperial beats the state’s response rate by May 18. If it’s surpassed by May 11, then free popcorn will be added, he said.
    On Tuesday morning, Chase County had a 43.4% response rate. At that time, it was among the 10 lowest counties in Nebraska.
    Imperial itself is very close to that figure at 43.5%.
    According to David Drozd, M.S., Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Chase County’s response is about 25 points behind its response at this time 10 years ago.
    Sarpy County near Omaha has the state’s best response at 69.4%, while Hooker County was the lowest with 12.1%.
    Statewide on Tuesday, Nebraska’s response rate was 60.7%, which is fourth best in the nation behind Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.
    Nationally, the U.S. total response rate stood at 53.4%.
    With all the distraction of COVID-19 and its effects, city officials are guessing many residents didn’t pay attention much to the U.S. Census mailings that began arriving between March 12-20.
    There was a short discussion on the census at last week’s city council meeting.
    At least one council member said he didn’t remember receiving any U.S. Census mailings. Census officials say at least three mailings went out.
    Pribbeno noted there are a number of population-based benefits cities realize from the U.S. Census numbers.

To read more, go to: https://etypeservices.com/Imperial%20RepublicanID359/