The

results are in, and Fayette still leads the metro

Atlanta area in response to the mail-in

questionnaire from the 2000 U.S. Census.

In

Fayette County as a whole, as well as in the

cities of Fayetteville and Peachtree City, 77

percent of residents sent in their

questionnaires, up 1 percent from Fayette's

response to the 1990 census. Fayette's 76 percent

response rate was number one in the state in

1990.

Statewide

figures are not yet available, but this year's 77

percent figure was number one out of 15 Atlanta

area counties listed in a recent U.S. Census

Bureau report on response rates.

Rockdale

County came in second with a 72 percent response.

County

planners said this week that chances are good

that Fayette's response is again number one in

the state, since metro areas usually respond

better than outlying counties.

"This

is something we should all be very proud

of," said Chris Venice, director of

planning, after announcing the figures last week.

"I'd like to thank the citizens of Fayette

County for responding so positively."

State

and local officials have been pushing for a high

response rate, citing the need for an accurate

count of local residents in determining the

number of representatives Georgia will have in

the U.S. Congress. Federal agencies also use the

census information in determining the level of

funding for state and local programs.

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