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The U.S. Census Bureau abruptly ended the 10-year count this week, sending out an announcement only one day before the new deadline, which cut short the tally by about two weeks, but Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is celebrating an overall household response rate of 99.9 percent.

“Over the past several months, Alabamians have come together during these challenging times to complete their 2020 Census, heeding our messages about how vital this count would be to shaping the future of our state,” Ivey said in a press release Friday. “We’re hopeful that the spirit of our citizens in this effort will translate into good news for Alabama down the road.”

Alabama’s total reflects a self-response rate of 63.5 percent, an improvement over 2010 numbers, but still below the national average of 66.8 percent.

Statewide, 47 counties improved over 2010 response rates, but Dallas County’s self-response rate of 54.8 percent lagged both the state and nation, as well as its own 2010 response rate of 61.9 percent.

Just over 25 percent of Dallas County’s responses were filed online.

Counties with the highest response rates in the state were Shelby County, 77.8 percent, Madison County, 76 percent, and Autauga County, 71.7 percent.

For Alabama Counts Chairman Kenneth Boswell, the state’s response was commendable, all things considered.

“Though this year has been challenging for everyone, Alabama Counts is tremendously pleased that we fulfilled our goal of maximum participation among Alabama households in the 2020 Census,” Boswell said in the release.