The total included 2% of households for which forms were received after the April 27 deadline, too late to stop the bureau from sending a census-taker to knock on the door. The 72% mail participation rate achieved before that deadline also matched the 2000 Census rate.

The Census Bureau news release included a statement by agency director Robert Groves that he was very pleased. Data for individual states, counties, cities and neighborhoods are available on the bureau’s website.