PHOENIX (AP) — Although Arizona is nearly matching its census participation achieved a decade ago, experts say the state's lower starting point this time around and immigration issues could make a complete count more difficult.
As of Tuesday, 66 percent of Arizona households had mailed in their census forms. That makes the state the 38th in the nation for participation.
In 2000, Arizona's rate for mailed-in forms was 68 percent.
Participation rates continue to shift as late forms trickle in, but the U.S. Census Bureau is already turning to the harder and costlier door-to-door survey of those who haven't yet responded.
Experts say the rates so far are encouraging in one sense because the current census is battling a high number of foreclosed homes and relocated people.
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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com
