By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@thecitizennews.com

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 by April 1.

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.