Moore County’s prompt response to the 2010 population census may translate into improved financial and political opportunities later in this decade.

At latest tally, the county had a 76 percent response rate, topping the national and the state rates. The 2000 census response rate was 66 percent.

Big responses were recorded in such diverse municipalities as Robbins, Carthage and Whispering Pines.

“This is huge,” said Terry D. Henderson, partnership and data service coordinator for the U.S. Census Bureau’s Charlotte region, at a hastily-called meeting of the Moore County Complete Count Committee last Friday. “It really shows that this county cares.”

Henderson, a former Moore County resident, added that the percentages may change a point or two because the count is not complete. The percentages refer to the response by residents to the mail-in questionnaires dispatched to all households in the country in early spring.

April 1, known as Census Day, was the target date for return of the questionnaires. Dozens of census workers are still on duty in Moore County.

North Carolina had a 74 percent response rate, a 2 percent increase over 2000. The national response was unchanged, 72 percent this year and 72 percent 10 years ago.

Henderson praised the committee and other individuals working throughout the county to help residents understand the importance of completing the questionnaires and returning them to the Census Bureau. Prompt return of the forms saved money for the federal government and saved aggravation for residents because personal house calls by census enumerators were not required for households returning the questionnaires on time.

“When you have double-digit increases, it shows a consistent message,” Henderson said.