Less than half the residents in Sandy Springs have responded to the U.S. Census, according to 2020census.gov. The response rate is lower than other north Fulton cities. Now, Sandy Springs has started a challenge to encourage residents to complete the survey.

The Raise Your Hand Sandy Springs Challenge asks people to complete the survey online, by phone, or mail, then post a selfie photo with a raised hand on the city’s Facebook page. The post would be tagged with #raiseyourhandsandysprings. The challenge also suggests tagging friends in the post to encourage them to complete the census.

A U.S. Census map currently shows the Sandy Springs response rate to the survey is less than 48% and matches the overall rate for Georgia.

Response rates in Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton and Mountain Park are significantly higher. About 60% of Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton residents have responded, according to the map. More than half of the residents in Mountain Park have replied.

The U.S. Census deadline has been extended to mid-August. Census takers will visit homes that haven’t responded to the survey between May 27-August 14.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Workers at the Atlanta Community Food Bank distribution center are seen uploading food into multiple aisles on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. The organization is utilizing $5 million from its reserves to purchase 6 million pounds of food for distribution over the next four weeks. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Passengers wait at a Delta check-in counter at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. It was the first day the Federal Aviation Administration cut flight capacity at airports during the government shutdown. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com