May 21, 2020 – The latest 2020 Census response rates released show that Garrard County has already surpassed its 2010 Census response rate. 66.4 percent of Garrard County households have now responded to the 2020 Census versus 60.0 percent in 2010, making Garrard County one of 17 Kentucky counties that have surpassed its rate from the 2010 Census. Kentucky’s response rate is 63.5 percent, currently 13th in the nation.

 “The Census Bureau would like to extend our congratulations to the people of Garrard County for their high response rate,” said Fernando Armstrong, regional director of the Philadelphia Region of the U.S. Census Bureau, which includes Kentucky. “Your response matters and will help your community get the accurate count it needs to secure federal funding for critical public services and political representation.”

The Census Bureau’s online response rate map shows response rates by state, city, county and census tract. Households who have yet to respond can complete the 2020 Census online at 2020census.gov, by phone at 1-844-330-2020, or by mail. Households that do not respond to the census will receive a visit from a census taker who will help them respond. The deadline is October 31.

Other nearby Kentucky counties who have exceeded their 2010 response rate include:

• Oldham                       79.1 vs. 76.5 in 2010 (#1 in Kentucky)

• Anderson                     73.0 vs. 70.8 in 2010

• Mercer                        67.0 vs. 62.8 in 2010

• Woodford                    70.6 vs. 65.8 in 2010

• Jessamine                    72.2 vs. 68.9 in 2010

• Madison                      68.0 vs. 67.4 in 2010

• Scott                            72.9 vs. 69.3 in 2010

The Census Bureau strongly encourages the public to respond online at 2020census.gov. Households can respond online in English or 12 other languages or by phone. Households can also respond by mail using the paper questionnaire. 

As required by the U.S. Constitution, the once-a-decade census must count every person living in the United States. Census data are the basis for our democratic system of government, ensuring that representation in government is equally distributed. Census results shape the future of communities, as census data informs how billions of dollars in federal funds are distributed for health clinics, school lunch programs, disaster recovery initiatives and other critical programs and services for the next 10 years.

For more information, visit 2020census.gov.