Census Self Response Rate Up In Volusia

DeLand, FL - The census is completed in Volusia County and so far it looks as if the county’s self-response rate has gone up. That’s according to Community Information Specialist Pat Kuehn, who spoke during yesterday’s Volusia County Council Meeting to offer some input on how the county’s efforts with the 2020 Census went. According to Kuehn, the county’s response rate is up by about 4% when you compare 2010’s rate—which was around 62.8%—to 2020’s rate of 66.7%. As the census was taking place, there was also a friendly competition among cities going on. The point of the competition was to see which city had the highest self-response rate. That city ended up being DeBary, which had a self-response rate of over 78%—the 13th highest in the entire State of Florida. Ormond Beach and Deltona tied for second, while Port Orange came in at third. DeBary has since received a loving cup as a prize for the city’s efforts. "And we’re so proud that it worked out," said DeBary Mayor Karen Chasez. "Even against great odds with social distancing, virus flare-ups, delays and uncertain futures for dates."