|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: Michelle Reardon |
|
Thursday, March 30, 2000 |
302/577-8701 |
|
|
|
|
|
DOVER - With less than 2 weeks until the 2000 Census count comes to an end, Governor Thomas R. Carper announced today that some residents -- especially in Sussex County -- might not have received their U.S. Census forms from the federal government. Carper urged those who have not yet received their U.S. Census surveys in the mail to call the Census 2000 toll-free helpline phone number in English (1-800-471-9424) or in Spanish (1-800-471-8642). This month, Delaware residents began receiving in the mail U.S. Census 2000 surveys. After the last Census in 1990, Delaware was undercounted -- costing the state in federal funding for schools and other services for children and adults. The U.S. Census count occurs every 10 years, determining a variety of statistics about the make-up of the nation's and states' population. Census statistics are used by the federal government to allocate funding for schools, building roads, managing healthcare and other services. Because Sussex County mailing addresses are primarily rural routes and post office boxes, it is believed that some residents of Delaware's southern county may not have received their Census surveys in the mail. Currently, Sussex County has the lowest response rate among the state's three counties. Other areas of concern include Middletown, Odessa and Townsend in New Castle County. A complete review of Delaware's Census response rate is available online at www.census.gov, then follow the prompt for "Census 2000 Initial Response Rates." Carper said: "The U.S. Census is a vital resource with special importance in determining whether Delaware receives its fair share of federal funding. In 1990 the Census undercounted Delawareans by more than 12,000 people, and nearly half were children. That's why it's important for residents to participate in the Census and help spread the word about the importance of filling out the surveys. When every Delawarean is counted, our children benefit." Delaware residents can request a Census form through April 5. All Census forms must be mailed back to the U.S. Census by April 11. Delawareans can also fill out the Census short form via the Internet at www.census.gov. |
|
|
|
Newsroom
|
