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Pike County did not advance to the Final Four in the Alabama 2020 Census Bowl. However, its berth in the Alabama 2020 Census Bowl Elite 8 earned $20,000 for the public schools in Pike County.

The Census Bowl results on Wednesday had Macon County with a 1 percent greater response rate than Pike County. Macon County now advances to the Final Four against Tallapoosa County.

Abby Peters, Pike County Census Bowl coordinator, said, although Pike County did not advance to the Final Four, the county’s award for its berth in the Elite 8 will be of great benefit to the county’s public schools.

Even though Pike County is no longer “bowling,” it is still extremely important that all county residents are counted in the 2020 Census, Peters said.

“At this time, Pike County’s response rate is about 50.9 and our residents only have until September 30 to respond. That’s now only days away,” Peters said.

At this time, Peters said Banks has the lowest response rate in Pike County.

“Banks’ response rate is 40 percent,” she said. “Throughout the county, the response rate is low. Even statewide, the response rate is only 63 percent. As a state, we are below where were in the 2010 Census.”

However, Peters said there is still time to respond. And, the Pike County Extension Office staff is available to assist those who need help with filling out the 2020 Census form at no charge.

It takes less than 10 minutes to complete and doing so could mean more federal dollars coming to Alabama and Pike County over the next 10 years, Peters said. No response means less money coming to the state’s coffers.

The Pike County Extension Office is located at 306 South 3 Notch Street in Troy. For questions or information, call 334-566-098.