2010 U.S. Census Important to Community

The annual census is much more than just counting how many people live in our community. It could make a difference in whether we receive millions of dollars or not.

I recently met with Lech Wisniewski a Partnership Specialists with the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. He is putting together local community teams to assist in getting the community ready for the 2010 Census that will begin next Spring.

According to Wisniewski the last census in the year 2000 covered roughly 2800 residences in Mitchell County. Unfortunately only 68% of the people responded to the census leaving 32% of the people uncounted.Wisniewski said federal funds are tied to the census based upon the number of households included in the data they gather. If 32% of the households are not counted he estimated that we have missed out on $3,300 per household or approximately $3 million in federal funding. Since the U.S. Census is done every 10 years that means we have missed out on $30 million dollars. We can't let that happen again.

The Census count affects federal grant funding for many, many programs. Some of those include the National School Lunch Program; Adult Education; Special Education Grants; Community Services Block Grants; Head Start; Low Income Home Energy Assistance programs, Medicaid Grants to States; Special Programs for the Aging; Community Development Block Grants; Employment Services; Unemployment Insurance Programs; Highway Planning and Construction.

Census questionnaires will be delivered or mailed to households via U.S. mail in March 2010; many households will receive a replacement questionnaire in early April. Census workers also will visit households that do not return questionnaires.The questionnaire will be quick, easy and confidential for you to fill out. There will only be 10 questions and should not take more than 10 minutes to complete. You will NOT be asked your Social Security Number, credit card information or any other private information.


Remember, just taking 10 minutes to fill out a questionnaire could affect our community's chance to receive millions of dollars in grants and federal funding. Take the time to be counted in the 2010 Census.