45 percent of forms returned statewide

Wednesday, March 29, 2000 | 10:25 a.m.

Nevadans are doing slightly better than the national average in making sure they're counted in the 2000 census.

Census Bureau figures show 45 percent of Nevada households have mailed back their census forms, compared to 44 percent nationally.

Overall, the state ranks 17th out of 50 states.

If the trend continues, it will mark a significant change over 1990 when Nevada had a 61 percent return rate, the fifth worst in the nation.

"Obviously, I'm pleased to see that this is progressing in a manner that is well ahead of where we were 10 years ago," Secretary of State Dean Heller said Tuesday.

State and federal officials credited an intensive ad campaign, funded by $430,000 in state money, that has filled the airwaves with images of California surfers and Texas cowboys thanking Nevadans for failing to respond to the census, which determines how millions in federal funds are allocated to states.

"We're making the case that it's in their self-interest to participate in this process and we're trying to downplay as much as possible that people's response is required by law," said David Byerman, the Census Bureau's chief government liaison for Nevada.

Clark County and Las Vegas have lagged behind the state, with 43 percent rates for both the city and county.

Census takers trying to count the homeless in Las Vegas are finding it a tough crowd.

Census workers say many of the homeless they tried to interview at various facilities just didn't want to participate.

"They're not going to stand out there and miss a meal to talk to us," said Don Eggleston, a 60-year-old retired phone company employee.

Census takers worked until after midnight Monday canvassing residents of homeless shelters, most of them near the downtown area, then worked the Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada homeless facility on Tuesday.

They planned to go to tent cities and check highway overpasses Wednesday trying to reach people uncounted earlier in the week.

The Census Bureau is placing special emphasis this year on counting the nation's homeless.