Western Springs Leads Neighbors In Census Response

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — Western Springs is leading area towns with its Census response rate. As of Friday, 77.4 percent of households had responded.

Behind Western Springs is Darien, with a response rate of 74.9 percent as of Friday. Darien's rate is higher than nearby Hinsdale and Burr Ridge, which were both about 68 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 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. Darien's rate is also higher than Elmhurst and La Grange, both with considerably higher median incomes. 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.