INDY CENSUS EFFORT PRODUCES SECOND-HIGHEST PARTICIPATION RATE IN NATION

CIRCLE CITY SECOND ONLY TO SAN JOSE AMONG AMERICA’S 20 LARGEST CITIES

IN FINAL 2010 U.S. CENSUS MAIL-BACK RATE TALLY

In the 2000 Census, Indianapolis proved its place among the country’s leading communities as America’s 12th most populous city. If mail-back rate is any indication, when the final count is finished on the 2010 U.S. Census, the Circle City may be in even more elite company.

Indianapolis ranked second among America’s 20 largest cities in the U.S. Census Bureau’s final mail-back rate report for the 2010 Census, producing a 75 percent mail-back rate that trailed only the 76 percent produced by San Jose, Calif.

“Our city’s superb census response in 2010 reinforces what we know to be true of Indianapolis – our residents and businesses accomplish great things when they work together,” said Mayor Gregory A. Ballard. “This effort, directed by a group of outstanding community leaders comprising our Census Complete Count Committee, will guarantee continued access to vital resources and help improve the quality of life for every individual in our city.”

Mayor Ballard formed the Complete Count Committee to promote awareness and help ensure a complete and accurate count for Indianapolis in the 2010 U.S. Census, appointing a group of leaders from across the community working under the direction of committee co-chairs Amos Brown and Steve Smith.

Indianapolis’ mail-back rate was four points higher than the 71 percent produced in the 2000 Census.

“The people of our community clearly recognized the importance of the 2010 U.S. Census, and with this opportunity to tremendously affect our future, they stepped up, made the right choice and made a difference for Indianapolis,” said Congressman Andre Carson. “An accurate and complete census count is critical to ensure that the resources our community needs are available. With an assist from the Complete Count Committee, under the leadership of Amos Brown and Steve Smith, we made sure that in 2010 – and for the next decade – Indianapolis will count.”

Across the city, every township outperformed its 2000 Census mail-back rate, led by a whopping 9-point jump for Center Township, which went from 61 to 70. Likewise, Decatur surged from 70 to 78, Franklin led the way with 81 percent, and all townships produced rates above 70 percent, with Lawrence at 76, Perry at 78, Pike at 75, Warren at 76, Washington at 77 and Wayne at 73.

“This was a great result for the people of Indianapolis,” said Brown, who co-chaired the Complete Count Committee. “By any standing, all of the hard work done by this committee and others throughout government, the private sector, and the community and grassroots groups across Indianapolis made this possible. And of course, the people of Indianapolis made it happen.”

The 2010 Census will help direct more than $400 billion in federal funds each year to communities across the country and to be used for hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, public works projects and emergency services. An accurate count ensures the funds are dispersed properly and determines the number of seats Indiana will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. Businesses use census data to help inform business decisions and spur growth, and funding for vital services as determined by the census can make a positive impact on the lives of employees and their families.

Visit www.census.gov/2010census/ to learn more.