DCED: U.S. Census Bureau Offers PA Residents Alternative Ways to Be Counted

News provided by

Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

Apr 16, 2010, 02:47 ET

Through April 22, Residents May Call Toll-Free Number or Visit Local Centers

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvanians who did not receive a Census survey in the mail or who have yet to be visited by a Census worker can ensure they are counted by making a phone call or visiting a local assistance center, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary George Cornelius said today.

Until April 22, Cornelius said Pennsylvanians can call the Census 2010 Help Line toll-free at (866) 872-6868 to either answer the survey's questions over the phone or to request that a survey be mailed to their home. People can also find a local questionnaire assistance center at www.2010.census.gov.

"Everyone benefits by participating in the Census because – simply put – money follows people," Cornelius said. "More than $400 billion in federal funds are distributed each year to communities for essential services based on population numbers. If post office box holders are left out, or if citizens decide not to participate, Pennsylvania will suffer lasting consequences."

The Census determines each municipality's federal funding levels for everything from road maintenance and construction to other critical public works projects, health care, and education. Municipalities across the state are already dealing with increased costs and decreased funding.

Cornelius said the U.S. Census Bureau is making this limited-time-offer to ensure participation is more convenient for citizens and gaining a complete count is less costly to taxpayers.

"By taking advantage of these limited-time alternatives, residents can help to reduce the cost of the Census. Remember, for every 1 percent of households that return their forms by mail, we save $85 million by not having to send Census takers door to door to collect information."

Cornelius said that in the past, those not receiving a form had to wait to be visited by a Census-taker. This is the first time when people who have not received a form could still participate by calling or visiting a center.

Cornelius said that while Pennsylvania's statewide participation rate of 73 percent is better than the national count (68 percent) many areas of the state are below those figures and that it is important for the citizens there to participate.

To view a map and see the participation rate by area or municipality, visit 2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/.

For more information, visit www.2010.census.gov.

Media contact: Mark Shade, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development