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KIRKSVILLE, MISSOURI -- For every 100 people that do not include themselves in the Census count, the Census Bureau estimates that Adair County will lose 1.3 million in funding for the next decade. Adair County residents and Census employees are taking steps to ensure an accurate count.

Census takers are hand delivering 2010 Census questionnaires to addresses across the nation, including homes in Adair County. Close to 90 percent of the U.S. population will be receiving their Census forms in the mail or by hand in the next two weeks, according to the US Census Bureau. 

In 2000, about 72 percent of the population mailed back their census forms. Adair County’s response rate was slightly lower than the nation’s average, with a response rate of about 70-percent.

Residents are encouraged to fill out and mail back their Census forms using the supplied pre-paid envelope as soon as possible. If residents lose or misplace their forms, additional forms will be available at various locations. They may contact City Hall for more information.

The questionnaire has been altered to make the form easier to complete. It has 10 questions per household resident, and the longer form from previous Census counts will not be used. The new form should take about 10 minutes to complete.

Starting March 22, visitors to the 2010 Census Web site will be able to track how well their communities are participating in the census on a daily basis.  For general information relating to the Census, visit 2010Census.gov.