RIPLEY – Citing a low return rate, Census officials are asking Blue Mountain area residents to make an extra effort to fill out and return their Census forms.

Reinforcing the request, Census officials said workers will begin Saturday coming by the houses of those who have not returned their forms. The deadline to mail back the forms was April 16, but the forms continue to come in, Census officials said.

Tippah County as a whole is at about 70 percent in returning their Census, which is higher than what the county ended with during the last census

However, the return rate is about 50 percent or less in the Blue Mountain area, which officials termed a very weak response.

Those forgetting to mail back their form can get another one by visiting www.2010census.gov or go to a Questionnaire Assistance Center and request another form, or get more information.

In Tippah, those QACs are located at the Chalybeate Public Library, 662-223-0755; Walnut Town Hall, 662-2223-4405; Blue Mountain Town Hall, 662-685-4721; and Ripley Public Library, 662-837-7773.

The Census helps determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds are distributed annually.

Those funds repair roads, build schools, playgrounds, free lunch programs, hospitals and fund senior citizens programs, Census officials said.

“As stated previously during a February 11th meeting with the Tippah County Board of Supervisors, it is very important that everyone fill out their Census forms and return them as soon as possible.

“Many people are unaware of the importance and impact the census has on federal and state funding available to our county,” said Dist. 3 Supervisor Ronnie Dunnam..

“This year, unlike in the past, it is a simple 10 questions. It should only take minutes to fill out and return.”