Households across Horsham District will soon be asked to take part in Census 2021
03 Feb 2021
The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.
This year it will be the first census to be run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets. Additionally, there will be an initial census postcard delivered to every household from around 22 February, which will flag up the upcoming Census.
Census day will officially be on Sunday 21 March 2021, but there will be an extensive window in which to complete the survey for households both locally and across the country, who will receive letters with online codes allowing them to take part from early March up to the beginning of May.
The census will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity.
And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, to be kept safe for future generations.
The Office for National Statistics aim to make things as easy as possible for everyone, but if you need help taking part in the census, there’s a wide range of support services available.
You can request support for yourself, or someone else, including:
- Guidance and help in many languages and formats
- A paper version of the questionnaire (if you prefer)
- Accessible census guidance e.g. in braille.
There is a general help area on the census website. It covers everything from who to include on the questionnaire to how to answer each question.
For more information, updates and support, you can visit the Census 2021 website or call the customer contact centre on 0800 141 2021 from 22 February 2021. You can also see more on the Census 2021 social media platforms:
For media queries please email press@horsham.gov.uk .