Gov. Bev Perdue announced that North Carolina lead the nation in improved Census participation between the 2000 Census and the 2010 Census, with an 8 point increase. North Carolina’s Census Participation Rate was 74% -- meaning nearly three-quarters of North Carolina households completed and mailed back their census questionnaires. In 2000, North Carolina had a 66% participation rate.

“North Carolina continues to be one of the fastest growing states in the country so counting every resident is critical to our future,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “In addition to the eight percent increase, North Carolina also exceeded the National Census Participation Rate of 72 percent. I commend the North Carolina Complete Count Committee, local census committees, and volunteers from around the state in helping North Carolina improve our census participation rate. We have had a great team effort between federal, state and local levels.”

Census data is the basis for the NC State Demographer’s projections, which are used to determine the distribution of state funds. Based on recent estimates, the state will receive approximately $15,000 in federal funding per person counted over the next 10 years. If you haven’t completed the Census yet, there is still time to do your part for our state and your community. Door-to-door operations began Saturday, May 1. Gov. Perdue encourages those who have not participated in the 2010 Census to cooperate with Census workers over the next few weeks.

Gov. Perdue signed Executive Order 33 establishing a statewide Complete Count Committee and created public service announcements encouraging North Carolinians to participate in the 2010 Census. The North Carolina Complete Count Committee created a bi-lingual website, public service announcements and more. Gov. Perdue has also advocated for an accurate count of deployed soldiers to the military bases where they are stationed – benefiting numerous military communities throughout the state.

Besides federal funding, census figures also determine representation throughout the levels of government. North Carolina narrowly received a 13th congressional district after the 2000 Census by a margin of approximately 800 people and with a complete count of residents, North Carolina could receive an additional congressional seat.

For more information on North Carolina’s Census efforts and for more information on how to recognize a Census worker, go to www.2010census.nc.gov. To track participation rates from around the country, visit 2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/.