The response rate for the census is around 50 per cent so far for Iowa, Illinois, and the Quad Cities. And the local rates vary from 49 per cent in Rock Island, to 51 per cent in Davenport, 53 per cent in Moline, and 62 per cent in Bettendorf.
Dave Geenan, Co-Chair of the Complete Committee for the Rock Island County Area, says the technology we have today to fill out the census, we did not have in 2010, so it's hard to guage our progress.
"We're not at our goal which is to above our 2010 rate, and hopefully get up to 80 to 85 per cent, however we have a couple more months than we had planned."
Because of COVID-19, the deadline to respond has been pushed back to July 31st.
And while many people are staying home from their jobs and school, Geenan says "if you're bored, fill out the census."
"We have stories of some folks that have taken photos, of taking the census at home online and having their children participate and help fill out the census. So there are ways we can creatively have it as a family activity."
A lot of government money is distributed based on the census, and with the likely huge impact of the pandemic on the economy and our lives, he says our participation and an accurate count are even more critical.
