With April 1 being National Census Day throughout the United States, Caroline County residents are urged to submit their census forms through the mail.

As of March 31, 59 percent of the County residents had returned their forms. This is above the national average of 52 percent and slightly below the regional average of 60 percent.

Caroline County has six census tracks which combine to make the County's total population. The following are the tracks and percentage of residents returning their forms:

53 percent - Port Royal, Guinea and part of Bowling Green.
61 percent - Sparta area.
55 percent - Bowling Green - Milford.
62 percent - Chilesburg - Guinea.
61 percent - Ladysmith
59 percent - Reedy Church - Caroline Pines.

The regional statistics are:

59 percent - Caroline.
58 percent - Stafford.
60 percent - Spotsylvania.
57 percent - King George.
66 percent - Hanover.

Caroline Planning Director Mike Finchum has indicated that certain residents who get their mail at post office boxes may not have received the form. Census officials are trying to get a handle on that. If any resident did not receive the form, they should contact the County Administrator's office at (804) 633-5380.

The Board of Supervisors appointed a committee last year to help in the identification of residents.

Census workers will visit every home in Caroline which has not returned the form. Population numbers are important to the County for eligibility for several kinds of funding.