Census 2025

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West Des Moines is conducting a partial Special Census to get a more accurate count of our population in growing areas of our city.

Residents in the areas that will be counted have received mailings from the federal government that contain a unique 12-digit code that can be used to complete the Census online. The Census questionnaire will be available for you to complete online until Friday, July 25, 2025.

Special Census 2025 Letter with Code Census Mailer with Code

What happens if I don't complete the Census questionnaire online?

Census Employee ID Census Worker going Door to Door

Field representatives will begin going door-to-door beginning in August to meet in person with residents who have not completed the survey online. All Census workers will carry a U.S. Census Bureau photo ID badge, and no one will ever be asked for sensitive information, such as a Social Security number, checking account number or financial information.

Why should residents complete a Census form?

A partial Special Census may help us quality for additional funds for important services we depend on every day. This may include services such as street repair, schools, hospitals, public safety, or programs for seniors.

It’s important to remember that all the information census takers collect is confidential, and the law applies whether or not you are a U.S. Citizen.

We invite anyone to apply online for a Census job, including:

Retirees
College students
People looking for temporary employment or a second job
People available for work with flexible hours, which can include days, evenings or weekend

Who can get hired? To be eligible for a special census job, applicants must:

Be a U.S. citizen
Be at least 18 years old
Have a valid driver’s license and a vehicle available for their use
Have the ability to hear responses and to read questionnaires
Be able to work several hours a day (a minimum of 40 hours per 7 days), which often includes a lot of walking and climbing of stairs
Be available for day, evening and weekend work, as needed
Be able to attend a 4- or 5-day training session for field representatives and field supervisors
Be registered with the Selective Service (or with a qualifying exemption)
Have a valid Social Security number
Pass a Census Bureau-performed background check and a review of criminal records, including finger printing

Online applications for Census jobs

Apply for Field Representative
Apply for Field Supervisor
Apply for Clerk
Apply for Special Census Office Supervisor

Frequently Asked Questions

Isn’t a Census conducted every ten years?
Yes, the national Census occurs every ten years. The City of West Des Moines requested a partial special census because certain areas of our city have grown over the last several years, and city leaders didn’t want to wait until 2030 for the next official Census count. New population numbers may help the City qualify for an additional $5.6 million in Road Use Tax Revenue over the next five years.
What is a Special Census?
A Special Census is a basic enumeration or count of a population, housing units and group quarters conducted by the Census Bureau at the request of a governmental unit. A partial Special Census, like the one being conducted in West Des Moines, just counts a pre-determined or targeted growing area of the city.
Can I request a paper questionnaire or respond over the phone?
No. If you did not respond online or you did not receive mailed materials, a Census Bureau worker will visit your home to gather your answers in person.
Are my answers confidential?
Yes! All answers are confidential and private. The Census Bureau is required by law to protect your information under Title 13, U.S. Code. Also, by law, the information collected by the Census Bureau is only used for statistical purposes.
If I’ve already responded to the Census, why am I still receiving mail from the Census Bureau?
The U.S. Census Bureau sends invitations and reminders through the mail, including invitations to other surveys. If you already responded online to the Special Census, you may disregard the reminder mailings to respond online.
(Sometime in August): Someone left a Notice of Visit at my door. What do I do?
You will receive a Notice of Visit if you were not home when a Census Bureau interviewer visited. The notice will ask you to call a number where someone can take your response over the phone. You can also respond when a Census Bureau interviewer visits your home again.