This is an era when we are all automatically suspicious of nearly everything in life.  Scams, in person and online, can cost you a great deal.  Sometimes, you can even become a crime victim.  So, being careful is the normal procedure these days.

However, people in Fishers need to know there actually is a census going on.  There are census workers out in the neighborhoods working on the census count.  City government officials are encouraging local residents to cooperate with the census.

The city is paying for this special census.  Normally, a national census happens once every 10 years, with the next one set for the year 2020.  But Fishers has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years.  The 2010 census listed the Fishers population as 83, 891. Based on estimates by city officials, that figure is creeping up closer to 90,000.

The official population count from the census is very important.  It dictates what share of state and federal money the city receives. The higher the population based on the official census, the more state and federal money will fill our city coffers.  That benefits everyone in Fishers.  The cost to the city paying for this census will be paid back many times over in additional funds from other sources, based in the higher population count.

Be clear about one thing – all of Fishers is not being counted in this census.  The city is paying the feds to verify the population count only in the growing areas of the city.  That lowered the overall cost to the city.

Eric Moeller, City Councilor and Chair of the City Council Finance Committee, posted on Facebook concerns he is receiving from constituents about the census.  Yes, the census is legitimate. You can ask for the census workers ID.  If you are suspicious you can call the Fishers Police.  But be aware there are census workers fanning out in the population growth areas of Fishers.  It is in your interest, and your fellow city dwellers interest, to cooperate with the census.  It is real.

If you want more details on the special census being conducted in parts of Fishers, use this link.