Cherokee County is nearing its goal in this year's Census.

A goal to account for 75 percent of the county's population was set for the 2010 Census. According to the Census Web site (www.2010.census.gov/cgi-bin/staterates.cgi), the county had a 72 percent count as of Thursday.

"I am pleased overall," Buzz Ahrens, chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, said, though he added there were some holes in the delivery of the census forms. "We did have an indication that a second mailing would be going out this week to known areas that did not get the first batch."

Ed Davis, partnership coordinator for the Atlanta region of the U.S. Census, said the county had a "very handsome rate" of return.

"That means the local government has been instrumental in getting out the word," he said, referring to the importance of a full count. "They have done a very effective job. The public also has shown concern and care."

A full and accurate count is important for Cherokee County as federal and state funding is directly tied to census data, as well as House of Representatives' seats. Businesses, academic institutions and service providers also use the census data for their business models.

Jeff Moon, Woodstock city manager, said he does not think the return rate was helped any by the confusion in the city over some of its census forms. Many city residents in the 30188 ZIP code received forms that were addressed to Holly Springs.

According to the Census Bureau, the reason Holly Springs was listed instead of Woodstock was the result of a cost-saving measure designed to streamline how the forms were sorted and collected. In a letter from the bureau posted on the city's Web site, residents are encouraged to fill out the form and mail it back as it is. The bar code on the form has all the correct geographic information in it.

"It is a shame that they spent so much money on promoting the census and then decided to save money in the addressing/delivery of the forms," Moon said.