(Census 2010, Continued from Home Page)

The CCPB's two main goals are to make sure each person in the county gets a census form and to encourage everyone to fill out that form and send it back to the Census Bureau. With $400 billion in federal funds being distributed each year to tribal, state and local governments on the basis of population figures, having every resident counted is in the City's and County's best interest.

Without an accurate list of street names and addresses, there would be no assurance that every resident of Forsyth County would get a Census form to complete. Planning has collected address point information and sent it to the Census Bureau as part of the LUCA (Local Update of Census Addresses) program. Since 2008, Planning's GIS and Addressing staff have been reviewing, correcting and adding addresses to the County's Master Address Database. To date, over 18,000 addresses have been added or modified through record research and field verification. Planning staff has also submitted information about group facilities, such as university students and retirement home residents, in addition to locations where homeless persons congregate. This October, staff will submit address information for newly built residences expected to be completed by Census Day, April 1, 2010.

Nevertheless, getting Census forms into the right hands doesn't necessarily ensure an accurate population count. CCPB staff has also organized Forsyth County's Complete Count Committee, a volunteer group that educates residents about the community-wide benefits of being counted in the Census. Since the Census takes place only every ten years, people aren't familiar with it and don't always send their forms in; immigrant and minority populations are reluctant to participate in the Census and have historically been undercounted. It's the Complete County Committee's task to make sure every resident knows that they help themselves and their community when they fill out their Census form. Through its behind the scenes efforts, Planning staff is making sure that everyone in Forsyth County is counted.

Learn more about the 2010 census. 

Posted: 4/18/2009