If you haven’t filled out your census form or haven’t received one yet, you can expect a knock on your door soon, according to Kat Smith, who came from the census bureau office in Dallas to talk to the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors Monday.

    Smith, a media specialist from the U.S. Census Bureau regional census center in Dallas, came to Meridian to address concerns from supervisors who said some constituents had never received their census forms.

    Smith said the people who hadn’t received forms most likely got their mail through a post office box. She said the census doesn’t send mail to post office boxes, only to residential addresses.

    But that doesn’t mean people who don’t have a home mailbox won’t be counted, Smith said. In fact, the census bureau is working aggressively to count as much of the population as possible.

    People who have not returned census forms in the mail will soon be getting a visit from a census worker, Smith said. She said workers will return to a residence up to seven times if they get no response, and will interview neighbors after the seventh unsuccessful visit.

    Smith said people who did not receive a form or lost their form can also give their census information over the phone by calling (866) 872-6868.

    The census bureau will have 7,500 workers going door-to-door in Mississippi alone. The reason they are putting so much effort into collecting census data, Smith said, is because population counts have a profound impact on communities.

    “What’s at stake is over $400 billion a year (in federal funding allocated based on population),” said Smith. “That money goes out to communities. It helps in the allocation of the funds for schools, hospitals, roads, and things like senior citizen’s facilities… So that money can be used to help rebuild and to help communities move forward.”

    Smith said the census count also establishes the number of congressional representatives each state has. Mississippi is especially aware of that function of the census, because our state lost a representative after the 2000 census showed a decrease in population.

    “We want to help regain that, and getting an accurate count can ensure that,” Smith said.

    The census also affects economic development, internet access, and anything else for which companies or organizations look at population data.

    Smith said the number one reason people do not fill out their census forms is    a lack of education about the census. Many people simply haven’t been informed of how the census can affect their communities.

    “This census is historical in the sense that it is the first time we’ve gone full fledged with a campaign to educate the public,” Smith said.

    She said the census bureau has been airing commercials about the census, sending out reminder letters, and entering into partnerships with community organizations in an effort to educate the public on why getting an accurate count is important.

    Smith said distrust of the government is another reason some don’t participate in the census. But she said census workers are sworn to protect any personal information that they collect, and don’t share their information with any other organization, government or otherwise.

    “Not even the president can request it,” she said.

    She said people also needn’t worry about getting into trouble for filling out their census.

    “We don’t enforce any laws,” said Smith. “We don’t care if you don’t pay your taxes, if you’re here illegally, if you owe back child support. None of that stuff matters to us. We just want to count.”

    Smith said census workers started going door-to-door May 1 and will continue to do so through mid-July. For more information on the 2010 census, visit the census Web site at www.2010census.gov.