April 15th, 2010
San Marcos still lags behind in census count

SUBMITTED REPORT

With just a couple of days to send in their questionnaires, only 57 percent of San Marcos residents have mailed back their census forms—meaning that 43 percent will receive personal visits from the U.S. census Bureau in the coming weeks.

The Willow Creek neighborhood is doing the best with a 72 percent return, while others range from 51 percent to 71 percent. Participation rates can be tracked online at 2010.census.gov.

Texas State University students living in apartments are counted in San Marcos and are urged to mail back their questionnaires.

People who don’t mail back their forms before April 17 will receive a knock on the door in the coming weeks from the U.S. census Bureau. Home visits will start May 1.

“We urge our residents to mail back their census forms,” said Daniel Guerrero, Chair of the San Marcos Complete Count Committee. “It costs $54 per household for census workers to make personal visits. The 2010 questionnaire is easy, safe and confidential and important to the future of our city.”

Population counts determine Congressional representation and the allocation of some $4 billion a year in federal, state and local funds for roads, schools, student financial aid, hospitals, community planning, and much more.

The 2010 census is a count of everyone living in the United States, as required by the U.S. Constitution, regardless of whether they are citizens or non-citizens. The census Bureau is prohibited from sharing any personal information with other governmental agencies.

People who have questions about the census form or need a replacement form may visit an area Questionnaire Assistance Center until April 19. San Marcos centers are:

• San Marcos Public Library, 625 East Hopkins
• Southside Community Center, 518 Guadalupe Street
• Community Action Agency, 191 Uhland Road
• Allen Woods Homes,  Housing Authority, 1201 Thorpe Lane
• Hays  County Personal Health Department, 401-A Broadway
• Springtown Villa Housing Authority, 503 Springtown Way
• C.M. Allen Homes, Housing Authority, 795 River Road

People may also call toll-free from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. any day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays:  English: 1.866.872.6868; Spanish/en español: 1.866.928.2010; or TDD (Telephone Display Device for the hearing impaired): 1.866.783.2010.