Census 2021

The census is coming. By taking part, you can help inform decisions on services that shape your community, such as healthcare, education and transport.

Households across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will soon be asked to take part in Census 2021, the once-in-a-decade survey that gives the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It will be the first census 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. Census day will be on 21 March, but households will receive their letter with the online code from early March.

Please encourage people you know to take part, everyone should have the support they need to fill in the census. If you, or anyone you know, needs help, there’s a wide range of support services available. These include a contact centre that can give you help over the phone and guidance in a range of languages and accessible formats, including paper questionnaires and large print.

It is important that people understand that they can identify as Cornish on the Census and how to do so.This will provide valuable information on the Cornish which can influence policy making and funding decisions. Cornwall Council, in conjunction with Census 2021, will be promoting this.

The information from the census can be used as evidence to help charities and voluntary organisations get funding, and also helps councils plan and fund public services.

It’s important that you fill in your census questionnaire. Without the information you share, it’d be more difficult to understand your community’s needs and to plan and fund public services. In one way or another, your information touches the lives of every single person living in England and Wales, whether it’s through using census information to plan new schools, doctors’ surgeries or bike lanes.

Because these things matter to us all, everyone needs to complete the census. Do not worry, government officials dealing with applications you’ve made or payments or services you receive cannot see it. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) runs the census in England and Wales and is independent from government. Your details are protected by law and information published is always anonymous.  

Census Day is Sunday 21 March 2021. You can fill yours in online as soon as you get your access code in the post. If your household circumstances change on Census Day, you can let the ONS know.

If you need help, you can visit www.census.gov.uk where there’s a wide range of support services available.

what the census is