BEHIND: WV LEADING NATION FAILING TO RESPOND TO US CENSUS - Census Numbers Vital In Receiving Federal Money

(04/11/2020)
Historically many West Virginians don't like to respond to the US Census, which often determines how much the state is funded from the federal government.

West Virginia often leads the nation in low voter turn-out.

A study shows that the state also tops TV watching time, where the total time per day is four and a half hours.

West Virginia is among the poorest states in America, whose governors and legislators cling to fossil fuels to drive the state, often voting against new technology.

West Virginia has one of the country's lowest participation rates in the 2020 census.

Data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau shows only about a third of West Virginia households have responded to the head count as of Thursday, putting the state as third worst behind only Alaska and Puerto Rico.

About a month into the census effort, the national response rate is about half of all households with Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan leading the pack with over 50% return rates.

Republican Gov. Jim Justice and other state officials have repeatedly urged residents to fill out the census forms so the state can get funding for a number of federal programs.