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Census resumes field operations, encourages a complete count

A majority of Webster County has completed the 2020 U.S. Census, but there’s still a ways to go to ensure everyone is counted as the Census Bureau cautiously resumes some field operations.

“A lot of people who’ve done it already are the ones who normally would already do it,” said Census Bureau representative Kelly Campbell to Webster County Supervisors Tuesday.

Iowa is in third place nationally for participation, which is mostly online this year. At 66.9% the Hawkeye State is behind Minnesota and Nebraska.

Currently, 63.9% of Webster County has completed the survey, with some towns leading the response with more vigor than others.

At the front of the pack is Badger with 77.8% completed. In last place for Webster County is Duncombe, with a completion rate of 39%. Fort Dodge sits at 62.6%.

“We have some who have been busy, maybe farmers in the field, and haven’t gotten the opportunity,” Campbell said. “They could use some neighbor-to-neighbor encouragement to fill out the census.”

Campbell quoted a figure used by Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg which said that for every person not counted, towns and cities miss out on about $1,700 in funding for local infrastructure and resources. Census numbers will be used for the rest of the decade.

Field operations will resume in areas where addresses need to be updated, such as new housing developments or places that have experienced a loss. Those addresses account for less than 1% of Iowa addresses.

Those verified as inhabited will have a plastic 2020 Census bag left at the door with a questionnaire.

Residents can respond at 2020census.gov.

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