Each and every person who goes uncounted in the decennial census set to begin next year could cost their community $18,000 over the next 10 years, reporter Steve Schulwitz told us last week.

That’s because data from the census is used to determine state and federal aid and also plays a role in grant funding and economic development opportunities.

The census will begin in March, when residents will receive a mailer from the federal government, asking residents to complete the census online or through a form that can be mailed back to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Northeast Michigan actually did pretty well at that 10 years ago. The share of residents who returned mailed questionnaires in the 2010 census was 87.5% in Alpena County, 91% in Presque Isle County, 85.2% in Montmorency County, and 89% in Alcona County, compared to 84% statewide, the Census says.

However, those who don’t self-report must be counted by a door-to-door enumerator. And that increases the risk that people will be missed.

We encourage everyone to watch out for the mailer and to complete the census. Your community depends on it.

Several groups have partnered with the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan on a number of initiatives meant to get the word out about the census.

The News is one such group, partnering with the Alpena County Library for a storytelling event in the spring (more on that to come).

We wish those groups good luck, and urge Northeast Michiganders to participate.

Let’s make it count, Northeast Michigan!

(THE ALPENA NEWS)