Darien Leads Burr Ridge In Census Response

BURR RIDGE, IL — Darien is leading most area towns when it comes to its residents' participation in the Census. As of Friday, 74.9 percent of households had responded to the Census questionnaire. That's higher than nearby Burr Ridge, which is at 68.1 percent.

Darien's lead was noted at the Burr Ridge Village Board meeting earlier this week, when Darien's percentage was 72 percent.

"I know Burr Burr Ridge is doing well," Trustee Tony Schiappa said. "I'm competitive in a sense that I understand that Darien has a higher number than us — about 72 percent. So I'd like to challenge our residents to get counted and go above the 72 percent that Darien is at."

A higher self-response rate means a better chance that everyone will be counted. When residents do not respond, Census field workers must knock on doors to get numbers. That's a more involved process that may result in a less accurate count.

In Darien, Mayor Joseph Marchese has been speaking out about the importance of the Census for months.

In general, towns with lower median household incomes have lower Census participation rates. But Darien is an exception to that trend. Its median income is far lower than Burr Ridge or Hinsdale, which has a response rate of 68.2 percent. Darien's rate is also higher than Elmhurst and La Grange, both with considerably higher median incomes.

Western Springs, which is also more wealthy than Darien, has a response rate of 77.4 percent. The state's rate is 59.6 percent.

In Burr Ridge, Trustee Anita Mital, who heads the village's Complete Count Committee, suggested a sign be posted at Burr Ridge Parkway and County Line Road to urge residents to participate in the Census.

"That corner is very eye-catching, and everyone passes through there," she said.

Mayor Gary Grasso said the village would get it done. He said it was important to get everyone counted, so the village is not shorted any of its allocations of federal dollars.