It appears that the Bluffton and Richland Township residents stepped up to their civic duty and have responded to calls to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census.

The accompanying map shows that between 86 and 95 percent of much of the county including local residents have responded.

In fact, Allen County’s response rate is now at 83 percent. Ohio’s overall rate is 72 percent and the national participation rate is only 67 percent.

Click here for interactive map.

If you’ve not yet participated in the census, here’s how you may do it.
In 2020 you can self-respond one of three ways: 
• Online at www.my2020census.gov
• By phone at 844-330-2020
• By returning the census form by mail.
   Persons who do not fill out the questionnaire on line will receive a paper questionnaire in the mail in a few weeks.

According to the Census Bureau, the completeness and accuracy of our count will shape our community for the next 10 years.

What is at stake:
• Representation: Census data determines how many seats Ohio will be allocated in the House of Representatives. 
• Federal Funding: Census data determines allocations of funding for public services, schools, hospitals, fire departments, police departments, and other public agencies.

Community and Economic Development: Census data is used to plan for new homes and businesses and improve neighborhoods.

Allen County was under-counted by 11,457 households for the 2010 Census. This under-count resulted in an estimated $515,402,200 in federal and state funding that  did not come to Allen County from 2010 – 2020.

A complete and accurate count for the 2020 Census could bring over $2.3 billion in federal and state funding to the Lima / Allen County community. That amounts to $19, 800 per person over a 10-year period. 

The 2020 self-response rate in the chart above reflects households that have responded through any of these three ways. In 2010 and 2000, self-response meant mailing back the paper questionnaire.

More details: click here