Wisconsin Leads Nation In Returning Census

Yesterday's post was about the tendency for Midwesterners to be assumed trustworthy. 

Here's an interesting stat:  As of this moment, the top five states leading participation in this year's census are all Midwestern: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Nebraska and Iowa.   And Wisconsin leads the pack at 80% participation!

Fern Letnes, the fellow Midwestern friend I mentioned in yesterday's post, alerted me to this news.  The website you can follow for news on census returns and all related information is fascinating.  Check it out here. 

Fern tells me she's heard that some folks think it has to do with the heavy concentration of Scandinavians in Wisconsin and its neighboring states.  In Sweden, the census is taken annually and people there consider it one of the requirements of being a good citizen.  My research turns up the fact that when the census was first begun in Sweden (earlier than the rest of Europe), the effort was spearheaded by members of the Lutheran clergy who promoted from the pulpit to their congregations.  Interesting.  

Not sure Sweden's annual census ritual has any bearing on the tendency of Wisconsinites to get that census returned, but the Cheesehead record thus far in leading the nation fits right in line with the theory of many of us that if you want something done, give it to a Midwesterner and it will get done.  On time.  With little fuss.

 
How about among your colleagues?  Does this hold true?  Are the Mid-westerners in the group people you trust?  Can count on to get the job done?  Show up when they say they will?

Food for discussion, this census info.  And how about this stat: Alaska is the state with the lowest participation.   Hmmm.  Sarah Palin country.   Is this the basis of a whole new conversation about which state's population can be counted on to do what they say they'll do?