ROANE TOPS WV COUNTIES IN RETURN OF CENSUS FORMS

(05/08/2010)
Roane County has topped the state with the largest number of census forms being returned.

Director Robert Groves says, "Nationally about 72 percent of households return the questionnaire. West Virginia as a state is a little below that at 64, but there's huge variations within West Virginia."

The highest rate of return on the mailed census form came from Roane County where 82 percent of the forms were marked and returned.

The lowest rate of return was 29 percent in Pocahontas County.

Census workers will be visiting the homes of those who are yet to respond to the forms.

Groves says the Census Bureau is not part of the enforcement arm of the government and by law cannot provide any information to the authorities.

Groves says the questions on the U.S. Census forms have changed very little over the years.

Some have raised questions about asking for race and other ethnic information. He says race was a question in the 1790 U.S. Census.

About the only question added over time deals with whether you buy or rent your home.