Putnam County has fewer people filling out the census than the national and state average.
Mayor Randy Porter said both the tornado and Covid -19 have played a part in that, but that it is important for citizens take five minutes to fill out the form. All federal funding to the county is based on census count.
What loses funding?
“Everything that you can think of,” said Porter. “Schools, our health department, hospital, library, senior citizens and all that depends on federal funding.”
The census form can be filled out online at 2020census.gov or you can call 1-844-330-2020 and speak to someone who will fill out the form for you.
“Or you can do it the old fashioned way and mail it in,” Porter said.
Porter said he is expecting a population count of over 80,000 people.
