S.C. 40th in U.S. for census completion

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More than half of U.S. households have responded to the 2020 census, and 48.1% have filled it out in South Carolina.

The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, updated through April 25, shows that 53.2%, or a total of 78.7 million households, have completed the census online, by phone or by mail. The largest share of respondents — 45.3% — have responded online.

S.C.’s response rate, which represents 1.2 million households, sits at 40th in the country, tied with Louisiana.

North Carolina and Texas are tied at 38th, with 48.5% of households completing the census. Minnesota has had the most response, with 63.9% of households responding.

Tega Cay is the most responsive S.C. city, at 70.4%. Arcadia Lakes has seen a response rate of 69.2%, followed by James Island with 61%. Looking by county, York County has a state-best 58% response rate, followed by Lancaster County at 56.1% and Dorchester County at 55.1%.

In the Midlands, Lexington County has seen 54.5% response rate, fourth in the state, while 49.4% of Richland County households have responded, for the 12th-highest rate among the 46 counties.

A population census is taken every 10 years. The 2020 census will count U.S. residents as of April 1, with statistics helping to determine the number of seats held by each state in the U.S. House of Representatives and how billions of dollars in federal funds are allocated.