Although the 2010 U.S. Census only has 10 questions, county officials are still waiting for Alachua County residents to stand up and be counted.
Norman Sassner, a U.S. Census office manager, said about 52 percent of Alachua County residents have turned in their questionnaires as of last Thursday.
Data from the census is used to determine government representation and allocation of funds.
The number of students who complete the census is traditionally low.
Sassner said students may not realize they are not counted in their parents’ census and must fill out their own census.
A larger student response could mean schools and universities could receive a larger allocation of funds.
“If they have any love for their university, they should participate,” he said
Alachua County City Manager Randall Reid said there is still a need for a higher student turnout.
“We’re concerned because students have a huge political impact in Alachua County,” Reid said. “There are millions of dollars at stake.”
Reid said it’s also important for foreign students to participate in the census.
Sassner is hopeful the county can surpass the 62 percent turnout from 2000.
He attributes his optimism to efforts made by the Census Complete Count Committee, which informs people about the census.
For Reid, the message is clear: Students need to contribute.
“It may be lying on the counter or the coffee table, but they need to get it in,” he said.
