Bluffton residents are standing up and being counted.

The latest self-response rates as of May 12 reveal that 76.5 percent of Bluffton residents have responded to the U.S. Census. Of that total, 66 percent responded on the census internet survey. 

Bluffton’s 2010 response rate to the census was 82.6 percent, so it appears that the village is on track to top that percentage figure this time around.

The accompanying chart show total census responses in Allen County.

Census Day was April 1. For persons who have yet to be counted, there are three ways to do it.

Three ways to participate with your information follow:
• Online at 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.