By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

ALABAMA — Last week, Governor Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) announced the final participation results of the 2020 U.S. Census in the State of Alabama. The census came to a formal closure nationwide on Thursday, October 15.

According to a statement from the Governor's Office, Alabama  finished with an overall household response rate of 99.9%, on par with 48 other states. 63.5% of those were self-responding Alabamians, which was up one percent from the 2010 census. The remaining percentage of responses were gathered through door-to-door census takers. 

"Over the past several months, Alabamians have come together during these challenging times to complete their 2020 Census, heeding our messages about how vital this count would be to shaping the future of our state," said Governor Ivey. "We're hopeful that the spirit of our citizens in this effort will translate into good news for Alabama down the road." 

In DeKalb County, 53.9% of participants were self-responders. The highest self-response rates in the State of Alabama came from Shelby County at 77.8%, followed by Madison County at 76%. 

The U.S. Census Bureau will release the total statewide population for the State of Alabama, as well as all other states, in the coming months. These figures will determine congressional reapportionment. 

For more information, please visit alabama2020census.com.