Cost for Campton Hills' census lower than estimate

Campton Hills trustees are moving ahead with the village's first special census at a cost of about $125,000.

The village board signed off on the agreement with the U.S. Census Bureau this week. The head count is expected to begin in the fall.

Village President Patsy Smith said Wednesday she was pleased the price tag was less than the $150,000 the village budgeted.

"We accomplished our goal in estimating conservatively," she said.

This will be the first census since Campton Hills residents voted to incorporate in an April referendum.

The 20-square-mile area has an official population of about 10,500, according to the 2000 census.

But trustees expect that number to increase to about 12,500 once census workers go door-to-door in recently developed areas.

The population boost would create about $800,000 in additional revenue before the next full census in 2010, the village estimates.

Smith said the municipality plans to hire locals to help with the count, which is expected to be complete in the spring.