The novel coronavirus outbreak is not stopping Nebraskans from participating in the 2020 Census.
According to statistics compiled by the Census Bureau, the state is leading the nation in the percentage of people who have responded to the Census.
As of Monday, Nebraska has a 30.2% self-response rate, considerably higher than the national response rate of 23.6% and slightly ahead of second-place Wisconsin, which was at 30%.
Many Nebraska counties have even higher rates of response, including Lancaster County at 33.6%. Lancaster is one of many counties with rates above the state average
Other Southeast Nebraska counties with high rates of response include Seward, Gage and Otoe counties.
"Nebraska’s high participation should help lead to an accurate count," David Drozd said in an email.
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Drozd, who is with the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Center for Public Affairs Research, said many households have already received the paper census form, and those that haven't completed the online Census will likely receive one in the next couple of weeks.
Online and mail responses are even more important this time around because of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Census Bureau has delayed in-person home visits until at least mid-May, although it plans to start in-person visits in college areas April 9.