The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Local News

March 10, 2010

Census results determine ‘fair share’

N.C. could receive $15,000 per person in federal funding over next 10 years

Jamicá C. Ashley

I count.

That's the message that the U.S. Census Bureau wants every citizen in the nation to internalize when it comes to this year's census.

"Results from the 2010 Census will be used to help each community get its fair share of government funds for highways, schools, health facilities and many other programs you and your neighbors need," said Robert M. Groves, director of the U.S. Census Bureau. "Without a complete, accurate census, your community may not receive its fair share."

A constitutional requirement, the first census was completed in 1790 and is the foundation for the nation's representative government.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the first census reported the U.S. population at 3.9 million. The 2000 Census reported a U.S. population of more than 280 million people, an increase of 13.1 percent from the 1990 Census.

As of March 9, 2010, the U.S. population is at 308,833,195 accounting for a portion of the world's more than 6.8 billion people.

The last Census showed North Carolina having a population of more than 8 million with estimates for 2009 of more than 9.3 million people calling North Carolina home.

The most populated county in the state, as of the last Census, was Mecklenburg with 695,454 residents. Wake and Guilford Counties were second and third.

It is estimated that North Carolina could receive approximately $15,000 per person in federal funding over the next 10 years.

"It is extremely important that people participate this time because last time (2000) we were in the middle of recovery from Hurricane Floyd. We were getting people into temporary housing or back into their homes and that took priority," said Ola Pittman, director of Edgecombe County planning, inspections and E-911. "We feel that a lot of our people were displaced and not counted so we're pushing it this time."

At the time of the last Census Princeville and other parts of Edgecombe County were strong in recovery efforts following the flooding of Hurricane Floyd that left many areas under water for 11 days. The Census was more of an afterthought.

Citizens of Princeville had to go to the state government, explain the situation and then be counted. Funding to the town was increased as a result of the increase in the number of recorded citizens.

The Census is a 10-question questionnaire that asks general questions about individuals including race, age and housing situation. There is no specified cutoff period for returning Census forms but the USCB is asking that they be returned as soon as possible.

If forms for an address are not received back within 30 days - late April, early May – a Census worker will visit the address to assist with the completion of the Census.

The USCB reported Edgecombe County had a population of 55,606 in 2000. Neighboring Nash County had 87,420.

"We don't want anyone to be afraid of completing the form because they need assistance," Pittman said. "Don't throw them (Census forms) into the trash can. Contact us."

There are several questionnaire assistance sites throughout Edgecombe County where citizens can get help with the Census.

The Edgecombe County questionnaire assistance centers are:

Macclesfield Fire Department in Macclesfield; Edgecombe County Memorial Library at 201 S.E. First Street, Pinetops; Town of Princeville at 201 S. Main St. Princeville; Edgecombe County Department of Social Services at 301 Fairview Road, Rocky Mount; Wright's Center at 501 Raleigh Road, Rocky Mount; Edgecombe County Administrative Building at 201 Saint Andrew St., Tarboro; the Del Resource Center at 205 S. White St.,Whitakers; and the Town of Whitakers at 302 N.W. Railroad St., Whitakers.

Spanish-speaking citizens should contact the the county planning office at 641-7803 for assistance.

The USCB has made efforts to make people aware of the Census through television ad campaigns, the 2010 Census Portrait of America Road Tour where 13 vehicles travel across the nation educating the public about the Census, inspire interest and encourage participation and the Dora the Explorer campaign aimed at making sure children including infants are counted.

"We encourage everyone to make sure they complete the forms and mail them back as soon as possible," Pittman continued. "If they don't, they'll just be left out and we don't want anyone to be left out."

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