SAFFORD — Graham County is at a 55.3 percent response rate to the U.S. Census, well behind the state as a whole, which is at 62.3 percent.
To encourage more residents to respond, Pima, Safford and Thatcher are offering prizes for participation.
The Town of Pima, which is currently at a 48.5 response rate, is offering a drawing for a flat-screen TV, a Playstation 4 and gift certificates to local businesses. Proof of response has to be e-mailed to Town Hall at admin@pimatown.az.gov by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15. The drawing will be held Sept. 16.
Safford, which is at a 64.6 percent response rate, is offering a raffle for a Traeger Pro 20 pellet grill, a Yeti Tundra 65 hard cooler and $100 off a Safford utility bill for proof of response e-mailed to Census2020@saffordaz.gov.
Thatcher, which is leading the Gila Valley with a 65.7 percent response rate, is offering a raffle for a big-screen TV, a $500 gift card and an Apple iPad for proof of response. Proof of response must be brought in to Thatcher Town Hall.
Greenlee County continues to lag behind other areas of the state, with a 40.2 response rate. Clifton is tops in the county at 41 percent, while Duncan is at 40.6 percent.
Census data will be collected until Sept. 30. To complete the Census, go to https://2020census.gov/en.html
