Wimberley lags in Census response rate

Response rates among Hays County residents for the 2020 Census are generally above the Texas average, and several are slightly above the national level. However, Wimberley’s response rate lags behind both the state and national averages while Woodcreek hovers near the state average.

Some cities in Hays County are doing quite well though.

Comparing cities across the county, more than 86.3 percent of Mountain City residents have completed the 2020 Census. That figure is more than 20 percent higher than most other cities in the county, though the Village of Bear Creek currently shows a response rate of 73.9 percent.

The population of Mountain City is about 670, according to Mayor Ralph McClendon. The small town is between Kyle and Buda along FM 2770.

Regarding his city’s higher than average participation, McClendon said in a statement, “Mountain City has taken efforts to increase participation in the completion of the census. We have sent out various electronic communications and videos to our citizens. We also update them on our current percentage of completion and encourage them to complete their census.”

He said they’ve also used testimonials about how easy it is to complete.

Participation in the U.S. Census is set out in law and everyone who was living in this country on April 1, 2020, should be counted. For the first time ever, people can take the Census online. The survey can also be completed by phone or mail.

“Hays County residents were undercounted in 2010,” said Debbie Ingalsbe, Hays County Commissioner Pct. 1. “That means we missed out on funding for critical programs, including roads, schools and public services.”

Ingalsbe, a Co-Chair of the Hays County Census Complete Count Committee, said she would like to see everyone living in Hays County take part in the 2020 Census.

“Our goal is to reach out to everyone in all part of Hays, including those areas with traditionally hard to count populations,” she said. “We want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to be counted.”

At the National level, 2020 Census response rates are currently at 60.1 percent. The response rate for Texas is at 54.7 percent. The response rate for Wimberley is 52.9 percent while Woodcreek is 57.7 percent. These numbers lag behind Dripping Springs, Kyle, Hays, Buda, Austin and New Braunfels.