By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@thecitizennews.com

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.