It only happens once every decade. But it has lasting implications.

The 2010 US census is just a few weeks away and officials are already hitting the streets and making sure South Carolinians realize the importance of turning in their census forms.

Census officials and lawmakers are depending on South Carolinians to fill out and return their census forms. They say if you don't it only hurts you and your state.

"What the census is, is how america knows what america needs," says Somonica Green, Deputy Regional Director with the U.S. Census Bureau.

The more census forms that are filled out, the more people that are accounted for and the more funding that the state and local governments receive - money for such necessities as schools, public safety, hospitals and infrastructure.

Politically, this could mean another Congressional seat which means another voice for South Carolina and Horry County.

State Representative Nelson Hardwick says the importance of getting an accurate census is magnified in our area.

"We have a tourism population that we have to fund also. We have to fund our police and fire and infrastructure and all to accommodate them too, so it is doubly important for us in Horry County to make sure everyone is counted," the Republican from Horry County told NewsChannel 15.

Green says, "We need a complete and accurate count, especially in South Carolna where in 2000 the return rate to the form was pretty low."

Challenges the census bureau says they face with low return rates is illustrating the growing hispanic population and the needs of minorities.

To drive home the importance, census officials are hosting events like the one they put on with the S.C. Upward Bound Students, a youth leadership group, in Myrtle Beach Friday night. It was there where they promoted the importance of completing and turning in the 2010 census forms.

"Groups like these young people who can be spokes people for us, who can be leaders and can go back in their communities and tell their brothers, their uncles, their cousins, their dads that it's very important to be counted and fill out the form," stressed Green.

"We just need to make sure everyone is counted. We're not asking anyone to be counted twice, but we need to all be counted at least once," pointed out Hardwick.

Census forms will start being mailed out in a few weeks.. and officials say you should fill them out and return them as soon as possible.

For more information, visit www.2010census.gov

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