The census is a survey that happens every ten years and gives us a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales. This helps the Government and local authorities to plan and fund public services in your area.
Households received a letter with an access code in March which will allow you to complete the census online. Census Day was officially on Sunday 21 March, but you can complete your census and return it up to the end of April 2021. Paper copies of the census can be requested online or you can phone the census helpline on 0800 141 2021.
It’s important that you fill in your census questionnaire because it gives us the most detailed information we have about our society.
Need help completing the census?
For the first time, this census is ‘digital first’ meaning that residents are being asked to complete the form online.
For further information, or to request support to help you complete the census, visit the census website or book an appointment with West Sussex Library staff.
If you don't have internet access or digital skills you can find support in local libraries. This support service is being offered in 15 libraries across Adur, Worthing, Arun and Chichester where 95 members of staff have been trained to help.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the service will be offered over the phone. The Remote Digital Support Team will be taking calls and booking slots for customers. A member of support staff will then contact you and complete the form for you over the phone.
If changes to COVID-19 restrictions allow, the service will be offered face to face in the following 15 libraries:
- Bognor Regis
- Broadwater
- Chichester
- Durrington
- Findon
- Goring
- Lancing
- Littlehampton
- Midhurst
- Rustington
- Selsey
- Shoreham
- Southwick
- Willowhale
- Worthing.
Residents living in other areas of West Sussex who need support completing the census can find details of their local support centre. The census support service runs for nine weeks from Monday 1 March to Sunday 9 May 2021.
Ideally, every household should have completed the census before or on Sunday 21 March 2021, or as soon as possible after this date. If you completed the census with library staff before 21 March and things change, you should contact the census to request any amendments.