Census deadline looming

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Have you filled out your Census yet? The deadline is creeping closer.

"It's sitting on the kitchen counter and I know I need to do it. I was away for Spring Break, but I will do it," West Lafayette resident Sue Magnente said.

"I know a lot of my friends who filled it out as soon as they got it. They know it's required for planning the future," West Lafayette resident Amit Kumar said.

West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis said as of mid-week, 51 percent of Tippecanoe County residents have turned in their Census. Statewide participation is at 54 percent. He said the goal is to have 85 percent participation. About 45 percent of West Lafayette residents have turned the form in and Purdue community's participation is on the rise.

"This weekend it was zero. Now it is at it is getting up to the double-digit percentile," Dennis said.

Dennis said if you do not fill out the form, a Census worker will contact you.

"What is going to happen is that they are going to get called three times, and they are going to get a door knock three times to try and encourage them to participate. And quite clearly the quickest way to prevent that from occurring is the fill out the form," Dennis said.

Dennis credits outreach efforts for getting the participation numbers up. Tippecanoe County residents agree the efforts have been helpful.

"I need all the reminders I can get. You reminding me, it's a great help," Sue Magnente said.

The 2010 Census is 10 questions and it only takes about 10 minutes to fill out. Mayor Dennis said it is estimated that Tippecanoe County will receive $4,000 per person if every home returns the Census.