The United States Census Bureau is undertaking its once-in-a-decade count of the U.S. population, and fewer than half of Alabama households have participated.

It’s a trend that can be seen across the South - especially the Deep South - and it could have big consequences here.

Alabama is one of a handful of states that could lose a congressional seat following the 2020 Census. The Census also determines how much federal funding states get for certain programs - and the most important thing a state can do to increase that number is make sure every person living there is counted.

Throughout the South, that’s not happening.

So far, roughly 51 percent of American households have responded to the Census. In the South, the numbers are typically lower. In Alabama, only 49.7 percent have responded as of April 21st. That’s 28th in the Country. Gov. Kay Ivey said last August that she hopes the state reaches 80 percent.

Many other Southern states are doing worse - in West Virginia, fewer than 40 percent of households have responded. But of all the Southern states, Alabama may have the most on the line. It is the only one projected to lose a seat in the House of Representatives after the Census.

Alabama is one of 24 states and the District of Columbia with lower than 50 percent response so far | graphic by Ramsey Archibald

The South isn’t the only region with low response so far. Much of New England also has below 50 percent response, and Montana and Wyoming are among the states with the lowest response rates in the country.

In Alabama, along with much of the rural South, many citizens live in hard to count areas, which can help contribute to low participation. Roughly 18 percent of Alabamians live in hard to count areas, according to data from the Census Bureau and the Associated Press.

AL.com reported last year on the Alabama counties that would likely be the hardest to count. Many of those counties have lived up to that billing, and are among the counties with the lowest response rates so far. Most counties are below 50 percent in Alabama, with a handful - mostly in North Alabama - having higher response rates.

Do you have an idea for a data story about Alabama? Email Ramsey Archibald at rarchibald@al.com, and follow him on Twitter @RamseyArchibald. Read more Alabama data stories here.