Connecticut remained in 15th place among the 50 states this week. As of May 12 the self-response rate was 62.6%, getting us closer to our 2010 final self-response rate of 69.5%.

Each of the municipalities that had the highest self-response rates were within 4 percentage points of their final 2010 rate as of May 12, 2020.

However, seven towns in Connecticut that have surpassed their 2010 self-response rate as of May 12, 2020 get to celebrate.

Sprague reached their 2010 rate (43.8%) earliest on April 15. This town also saw the largest surge from their 2010 rate, at 57.4% as of May 12, over thirteen percentage points above their 2010 rate. Colebrook met their 2010 rate and joined the club as of May 9.

Seven of Connecticut's municipalities reached their 2010 final self-response rate as of May 12, 2020. Of these, Sprague has surpassed their 2010 rate by the largest percentage points.

Five municipalities were within two percentage points of meeting their 2010 rate: Willington, Bozrah, Middlefield, Waterford, and Ledyard.

Among the counties, New London and Windham Counties were the closest to their final 2010 self-response rate, with less than 3% to go. New Haven County lags furthest behind at almost 9% to go.

Some municipalities are still far below their final 2010 self-response rate. Among the five that are furthest behind, each is located in Litchfield County: Sharon, Canaan, Salisbury, Norfolk, and New Canaan.

The five municipalities that were furthest away from their final 2010 self-response rates on May 12 were all in Litchfield County.

Lower self-response rates could result in undercounting communities, and undercounts could result in a loss of funding to those municipalities and to the state as a whole. Some of these communities may have low self-response rates because they live in areas that might receive special packets in the mail, which were delayed due to COVID-19. Others may be low due to lack of reliable Internet or even to concerns about completing census questionnaire.

Before we achieve a complete count, we need to understand the challenges people face, and these can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. Connecticut’s Complete Count Committees are identifying ways that they can continue to support their communities once it is safe to resume their Get Out the Count activities. You can learn about a Complete Count Committee in your town here.

As you can see on the map below, towns with a darker blue shade are furthest from their final 2010 self-response response rate as of May 12, 2020. The towns that are shaded purple have already passed their final 2010 self-response rate.

If you’d like to see how close your town is to your 2010 final self-response rate, click on your town in the map below.

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Seven Connecticut Towns Pass 2010 Self-Response Rate