Federal data ranks Maryland with the ninth highest response rate in the nation, Governor Larry Hogan announced that last week. More than 2.2 million households were counted, representing a total of 99.9 percent of the state’s population.
Carroll County led the state with a self-response rate of 81.5%, ranking 24th in the U.S. out of more than 3,200 counties. Twenty-one of Maryland’s 24 counties exceeded their 2010 self-response rate.
“Our administration is proud that even amid all of this year’s challenges, Marylanders stepped up with one of the country’s leading response rates to the 2020 Census,” said Governor Hogan. “The participation of 2.2 million Maryland households will mean critical federal funding for our state over the next decade for services used by our citizens every single day — from meals to Medicare and health care to highways. I want to sincerely thank all of the community leaders and volunteers who helped make this a successful Census for the State of Maryland.”
Census data is used to allocate billions of dollars in federal funding for education, health, transportation, housing, community services, and job training. Maryland will lose approximately $18,250 annually for every person not counted.
Moreover, businesses and industries decide where to locate new facilities and services based on census data, creating new jobs and promoting economic growth. Census data also informs reapportionment and redistricting, along with ensuring that Maryland receives appropriate representation in Congress.
According to a press release:
“This process has been a testament to the power of collaboration,” said Maryland Planning Secretary Robert McCord. “Partnership efforts among the state and local complete count committees (CCCs) along with the tireless commitment of nonprofit organizations, businesses, faith leaders, and other state agencies will make a difference in the lives of all Marylanders for years to come. Each has played a role in helping to shape the future of Maryland.”