Castalia and Ossian lead Winneshiek County in filling out the U.S. Census

The U.S. Census Bureau has announced that more than 50 percent of the nation's households have returned their 2010 Census forms.

Leading the way, according to the Census Bureau, were five Upper Midwestern states: South Dakota (62 percent), North Dakota (61 percent), Nebraska (60 percent), Iowa (58 percent) and Wisconsin (58 percent).

Winneshiek County has had a 50 percent participation rate. The City of Castalia had the best participation rate, with 79 percent of residents filling out Census forms. Other Winneshiek County communities and their participation rates are Ft. Atkinson (74 percent); Ossian (73 percent); Ridgeway (65 percent); Calmar (59 percent); Jackson Junction (46 percent); Decorah (45 percent); and Spillville (33 percent).

To see other participation rates, visit http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/2010textview.php.