Another

year, another 3,645 people.

Fayette

County's population is now 92,378, according to

the U.S. Census Bureau. Last year's estimate was

88,733, for a 4.1 percent growth rate.

The

numerical growth rate has been consistent

throughout the '90s. The county's population has

grown 29,963 from 62,415 in 1990, a 48 percent

increase, averaging just over 3,300 new residents

per year.

Percentage

growth in Fayette for the decade was the 12th

fastest in Georgia and 55th fastest in the

nation. Numerically, the county has grown 11th

fastest in Georgia and 194th in the nation.

For

the 1998-99 period, the county's growth of 3,645

people was 13th in the state and 175th in the

nation. Percentage growth of 4.1 percent was 17th

in the state and 70th in the nation.

The

population estimates, released last week, are the

bureau's last estimates of the 1990s, and use the

1990 Census as their base. Census 2000 is

underway, with April 1 officially listed as

Census Day, and will be a complete recount, not

relying on old data. Information from the

questionnaires being mailed to every household in

the nation should be available by the end of the

year.

Fayette

County's Census Complete Count Committee is at

work trying to duplicate or improve on the

county's response rate in the 1990 Census, which

was the highest of any county in Georgia at 76

percent.

Overall,

the statewide response rate in 1990 was low, and

state leaders suspect the state lost out on

having an additional representative in the U.S.

Congress because of that.

The

state will definitely pick up a seat in the House

in this year's count, and leaders are hoping for

a second additional seat as well.

Billions

of dollars in federal, state and local tax funds

are riding on an accurate count. Decisions about

education, health care, job training and business

are all based on census data about children, the

elderly, the unemployed or underemployed depend

upon the census numbers.

Planners

in Fayette and local cities have spent the past

year updating Fayette addresses so that all

households can be included in the census, said

county planner Pete Frisina, a member of the

Fayette Complete Count Committee. Although the

Census Bureau has updated its 1990 information

several times, Fayette planners still found 6,241

addresses that the bureau had overlooked, Frisina

said.

The

bureau mailed out questionnaires in early March,

with 83 percent of households receiving a short

form, which takes about ten minutes to complete

and covers six population subjects and one

housing subject. More detailed long forms sent to

some homes take about 38 minutes to complete and

cover 27 additional subjects.

Residents

are asked to fill out the forms and return them

Census

workers will phone or visit those who don't

respond in an attempt to gather complete

information.

"Census

2000 is your chance to make sure that the new

century begins with an accurate and complete

picture of your community," according to a

county flyer.

<!--

-----------