It's not too late for the census

Local count continues with home visits by enumerators PIKE COUNTY — The Census Bureau says it’s not too late for Pike County, residents to participate. Because the census is both a housing and population count, the US Census Bureau does not deliver to post office boxes, to rural mail boxes that are grouped together, or gated communities that do not have individual household addresses used by the US Postal Service. Forms are mailed to the geographic location of the housing unit to be sure that each person is counted in the municipality where they reside, so a lot of people in Pike County never got the forms. Households across the United States that have not received a Census questionnaire are being visited by census enumerators during May and June. Census workers are readily identifiable by the name badge they wear and the black census shoulder bag they carry. If a resident is not at home, the enumerator will leave a Notice of Visit form with their name and a phone number to arrange a return visit. Enumerators will make several attempts to contact each household on different days and times until the census is completed. Ensuring a complete count of everyone living in the United States is vitally important. Census statistics are used to determine congressional representation, legislative redistricting and the distribution of more than $400 billion a year. Additionally, local, state and federal governments, community planners and private economic developers will use the census data to forecast the needs of the community for the next decade. To view your community’s participation rate in the 2010 Census? The “Take 10” challenge gives you that information. Visit: www.2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/ .