Your Census Counts

It’s time to be counted or you could be fined.

This is Census Day and census officials insist they hear from you.

Local governments depend on you being counted in their number for all kinds of federal funding.           

Every 10 years the government counts the population in what's known as the Census.

If you're not counted, your town could lose funding based on population or even worse you could be out some money; fined thousands of dollars.

The mail is stacking up at the West Monroe post office on Wood Street.

It’s the time when people are mailing in their forms to be counted for the 2010 Census.

"The last several days I’ve picked up a lot more mail on my route,” said West Monroe Mail Carrier Tommy Gilley.

It’s April Fools and Census Day.

And Census Official Nefertitti Rhodes says mailing in your form is no joke.

"Based on the Census count (it) includes money for schools, for roads, for social services,” said Rhodes.

Some in the Twin Cities are catching on and being counted, others not so much.

"So have you filled out your census yet?,” asked reporter Nathan Ledford.

“Yes I have, I sent it in about a week ago,” said Resident Gail Johnson.

"Actually it's on my desk, I did get it and it's going to be filled out,” said Resident Melba Gwinn.

"The government doesn't listen to anybody so why should we fill it out; it's no big deal,” said Resident General Patterson.

"It was easy, like they said it was 10 questions, fairly simple,” said Resident Joe Johnson.

But like it or not, Census officials say you better be in that number or you could be fined up to $5 thousand dollars.

"The founding fathers thought it was necessary for individual to participate in the census,” said Rhodes.

The longer you wait could end up costing tax payers more money…forcing census takers to come knocking on your door.

Rhodes says it cost about $85 thousand for every one percent of households that don't reply.

"Approximately $60 every time an enumerator has to go to your house,” said Rhodes.

So far only 48 percent of households in Louisiana have responded to the Census.

You have until May 1, but Census officials urge us to respond for everyone in the house including babies about to be born as soon as possible.

For more information on the latest Census response numbers visit: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/