Be counted

From the US Census:

The U.S. Census Bureau is emphasizing the Friday, April 16, mail deadline because forms put in the mail by tomorrow will likely be received and processed in time to delete those households from the list of addresses it will visit starting May 1. Households that normally pick up their mail from a post office box are already slated for follow-up in May from census workers.

East Point hopes for 50K people with census

That census form still sitting around?  Here's why it's important to important to mail it back according to the AJC:

At last count in 2008, the city fell just 6,582 people short of becoming what’s known as an entitlement city.

To reach that 50,000 population threshold, it will have to count traditionally missed folks like Porter and Robinson, as well as those still on the streets, immigrants and the working poor without stable addresses.

It’s a multimillion-dollar proposition. If East Point succeeds, a chunk of the $14 billion that Georgia receives from federal agencies each year will go directly to the cash-strapped city, to help pay for crumbling streets and buildings.

Read more from the AJC here.

Counting heads in East Point

April 1 was the day when everyone in the country was to be counted as part of the constitutionally mandated census.

Jefferson Park neighborhood lagged behind both the state and national participation rate. 
Some 49 percent of residents here returned the 10-question form.  That is less than the state and national participation, 52 and 56 percent, respectively. The city of East Point has a return rate of 42 percent. 

No doubt expect to see census counters walking the neighborhood from April to July when works knock on doors of homes that didn't return the questionnaire. 

Many people will have gotten a letter in the mailbox with this logo:

It is important. If you think throwing it away will save you time now, you won't once the census workers come knocking on your door. Fill out the streamlined 10-question survey and mail it back.

In 2010, the Jefferson Park neighborhood had a 68 percent participation rate in the Census, below the national and state average of 72 and 69 percent, respectively.  (Look for yourself here.)  It appears all of the city was below the national average.   

The once-a-decade head count of residents determines how much money a community like East Point gets from Uncle Sam. What's that mean? The improved Brookdale Park, on Sylvan Road, was paid for in part by federal money. That's important stuff to improve our community and the census is a factor in much money the community gets for its needs.

A feature on the map to be unveiled soon will show how well the community is participating in real time and to compare it with others.

Be counted for the Censu 2010

The once a decade head count of every American is approaching.

Starting in mid-March, forms from the U.S. Census Bureau will arrive in mailboxes. There are 10 question on this survey, making it the shortest one ever. It is expected to only take 10 minutes to fill out, according to the census website.

As you remember from your high school civics class, the Constitution requires the head count every 10 years to draw congressional districts.  Congress also uses the count to dish out more than $400 billion each year in federal aid.

But if toss it in your recycling bin, a census taker may be knocking on your door.

And if a census taker visits you, here's what you should do:  First ask to see their ID. All census workers carry official government badges marked with just their name; they may also have a "U.S. Census Bureau" bag. Note that the census taker will never ask to enter your home. Call the Regional Census Center at (404)-335-1555 to confirm the person is Census Bureau employee.

There is also a chance to land a job. The Census Bureau could bring 10,000 new temporary jobs to metro Atlanta. One of the greatest needs will be for workers with different language backgrounds, including Spanish, Mandarin, French, Vietnamese, Swahili and Japanese.

Census jobs: For information: 866-861-2010 or online