CENSUS FORMS TO BE MAILED BY FRIDAY - WV Has Poor Return

(04/15/2010)
West Virginia has one of the lowest census participation rates in the nation.

Accurate census data is important to WV's rural counties.

The U.S. Census Bureau says 59 percent of West Virginians had mailed back census forms as of Tuesday morning.

Calhoun has a 50% rate of return.

The national average is 66%.

West Virginia's participation rate ranks 47th in the nation.

Alaska's 56 percent participation rate is the lowest.

Wisconsin is the highest with 77 percent.

The Census Bureau is asking people to have their forms postmarked by Friday.

Among West Virginia's counties, Pleasants County has the highest rate with 73 percent participation and Pocahontas County has the lowest rate with 28 percent participation.