US Census office in Lafayette now open

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The mayors of West Lafayette and Lafayette met with many community representatives and the co-chairs of the Complete Count Comittee to discuss the 2010 census. The meetings goal is to help the leaders of social, religious, educational, and business groups brainstorm how to spread the word out about the census.

Complete Count Committee Co-Chair Ken Bootsma said, in the last census, more than one-fourth of Tippecanoe County's population went un-counted.

"Only 72% of the count. We are missing dollars. That comes back because we all pay taxes, we all pay dues, and it all goes to the government. Then they send it back according to the numbers given," said Bootsma.

Bootsma said the goal for the 2010 Census is 85% participation in Tippecanoe County.

Bootsma said part of the low census numbers come from students at Purdue University and Ivy Tech. He said students say their home is elsewhere and don't fill out the census.

Bootsma said, "Another group are those that are current residents, who feel like 'My home is in Chicago' or somewhere else. They feel that they really should have been counted back there. But it's who's ever living in the area on April 1 that needs to be counted."

Bootsma said between $65-70 million a year would come into our community if the committee reaches its goal of an 85% count.

The 2010 census is only 10 questions. Bootsma said it should only take seven to eight minutes to fill out.  It's estimated that Tippecanoe County could receive $4,000 per person if every home returns the census.

The Lafayette census bureau is still hiring. For information on how you can apply call 861-866-2010.