DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa is tied with Nebraska for the fourth highest response rate to the U.S. Census as of Sunday. The figures from the Census Bureau show both Iowa and Nebraska with a 54 percent response rate.
St. Helena, Nebraska is the 7th highest ranking city in the country in responding to the census, while McClelland, Iowa is 12th. Both cities have a response rate in the high 70's.
The Census Bureau numbers break down total response and internet response. The Census Bureau sent out letters asking for residents to fill out census information online. It's following up by contacting those who have not completed the online form.
COVID-19 has forced a delay in the process. Census field activities are set to resume after June 1st, as Census offices are scheduled to return to full staff capacity. But the White House is asking for another extension because of the danger in conducting door-to-door canvassing during the pandemic.
The top five states in responding to the U.S. Census are in the Midwest - Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska and Iowa. Seventy-one point-two million households have participated in the Census so far.