2025 Special Census
What is the 2025 Special Census?
The City of Aurora’s Special Census Initiative is a count of the City’s population that is held outside of the normal census. During the 2020 Census, it was reported that the City of Aurora lost approximately 17,000 people. The reported loss in population has led to the City losing over $4.3 million per year in revenue, greatly affecting day-to-day operations and services provided, such as road maintenance, transportation projects, purchases of street salt, public safety, public works, community services, and special events. This lost revenue is through no fault of the City and cannot be recovered.
If the City chose to wait until the 2030 Census to recount the population, the loss of revenue would total $43 million. To end this loss, Aurora will pursue completing a Special Census, leading to a more accurate population count, restoration of key funding, and expansion of services to the City’s growing community.
Key Dates
February 3 through March 7, 2025 - The U.S. Census Bureau will conduct a Special Census for the City of Aurora.
February 4, 2025 - Mailing #1 of the Internet Self Response Period will take place, providing residents with a code to complete the 2025 Special Census online. Residents will receive a LETTER in the mail with the website address you need to take the survey, https://portal.census.gov/specialcensus, AND the personal identification number that you need to use.
February 10, 2025 - Mailing #2 of the Internet Self Response Period will take place, providing residents with a code to complete the 2025 Special Census online. Residents will receive a LETTER in the mail with the website address you need to take the survey, https://portal.census.gov/specialcensus, AND the personal identification number that you need to use.
February 18, 2025 - Mailing #3 of the Internet Self Response Period will take place, providing residents with a code to complete the 2025 Special Census online. Residents will receive a POSTCARD in the mail with the website address you need to take the survey, https://portal.census.gov/specialcensus, AND the personal identification number that you need to use.
February 27, 2025 - Mailing #4 of the Internet Self Response Period will take place, providing residents with a code to complete the 2025 Special Census online. Residents will receive a POSTCARD in the mail with the website address you need to take the survey, https://portal.census.gov/specialcensus, AND the personal identification number that you need to use.
Areas of Interest
2025 Census Tracts
2025 Census BlocksLook For These Letters/Postcards In The Mail!
On February 4, 2025, the Internet Self-Response Period for the 2025 Special Census will be open. The U.S. Census Bureau will send each resident two letters and two postcards asking them to take the special census. The letter/postcard will contain the website address you need to take the survey, https://portal.census.gov/specialcensus, AND the personal identification number that you need to use.
Job Opportunities
As the 2025 Special Census approaches, the City of Aurora, in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, is looking to hire field representatives to assist in completing the Census.
These temporary positions provide you with the opportunity to directly help your city, while, at the same time, earn competitive pay!
As a Census Field Representative, you will be responsible for conducting interviews primarily in-person (door-to-door) and, when requested, over the phone. You will also understand the Special Census materials in order to explain the purpose of the Special Census, ask questions as worded on the Special Census Questionnaire, and enter accurate and complete information onto Special Census forms.
You will be expected to canvass and travel around a specific area in Aurora to find and verify the number of people living in a home, townhome, condo, or apartment. Reimbursements are available for miles driven and travel and communications claimed!
Available Positions
1. Field Representative - Pay Rate: $21 per hour
Click here to apply for the Field Representative role!
2. Field Supervisor - Pay Rate: $24.50 per hour
Click here to apply for the Field Supervisor role!
3. Clerk (Office Based) - Pay Rate: $21 per hour
Click here to apply for the Clerk role!
Requirements
- You must be 18 years old or older and a U.S. Citizen
- You must be willing to work days, evenings, and weekends
- Expect a varying number of hours to work per week, depending on the area you will be canvassing
- You must have either access to a vehicle or public transportation, so that you can complete your work throughout your assigned geographic area
- You must be willing to use different methods of communication, including face-to-face conversations, phone calls, emails, letters, and more
- Bilingual candidates are a plus
- You must have access to a landline or mobile phone
- You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement
Qualifications
NO COLLEGE DEGREE IS REQUIRED! One year of general experience in clerical, office, or other work is helpful, but not required OR two years of education above high school.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work! Volunteer work includes but is not limited to professional, philanthropic, non-profit, religious, spiritual, community, student, and social groups.
Job FAQs
Q: Who will I report to if hired, the City of Aurora or the Census Bureau?
A: This position will report to staff from U.S. Census Bureau’s Chicago regional office at an office located in Aurora
Q: I don’t have a college degree. Is this job opportunity for me?
A: Yes! A college degree is not required for this position. General experience in clerical, office, or other work or two years of education above high school is preferred. Experience also includes paid and unpaid roles, including volunteer work for professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, or social groups.
Q: How much will I be expected to work?
A: Days, evenings, and weekend work is expected. Hours will vary per week, depending on the area in which you will be canvassing.
Q: What is my primary responsibility, if I get hired?
A: Your primary responsibility will be to conduct interviews both door-to-door and over the phone in order to provide an accurate count as to how many people live in the residence that you visit.
Q: How much will I get paid?
A: Starting pay will be $21 per hour.
Q: Do I need to own a car in order to apply?
A: You do not! If you do not own a car or personal vehicle, you can utilize public transportation to commute to your designated Census area.
Q: Will I get reimbursed for travel expenses?
A: Yes! You will receive reimbursements for miles driven, as well as for travel and communications claimed.
Special Census FAQs
Q: Why was Aurora undercounted in 2020?
A: In 2020, a perfect storm of undercounting errors was created by the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2020 Presidential Election, and new, untested technology designed to count the population.
The Census Bureau's 2020 "Post Enumeration Survey" (PES) identified that the State of Illinois was undercounted by 1.97%, the African American population was undercounted by 3.30% nationwide, the Latino population was undercounted by 4.99% nationwide, and renters were undercounted by 1.48% nationwide.
The Census Bureau also instituted a new technique in 2020 called "Differential Privacy," making it impossible for cities to check the Bureau's work or to challenge its results.
All of these factors contributed to Aurora's undercount, which is why the Special Census is necessary to correct the City's population count.
Q: Why should I respond to the Special Census?
A: By responding to the Special Census, you will help Aurora establish an accurate population count. This will provide the City with opportunities to earn additional funding to serve the community.
You will also help to end the City's current loss of revenue, restoring funding for critical services, such as public safety, public works, road repairs, and special events.
Aurora's six school districts, two hospitals, and park districts will also be able to access more funding, expanding services to the City's growing population.
Q: I am concerned about privacy. Will my response be used against me?
A: All responses to the Special Census are anonymous, private, and protected by law. Citizens’ responses cannot be used against them in any way. No individual or entity, including the Census Bureau, can track down your response.
Q: I am not an American citizen. Should I complete the Special Census?
A: Yes. No questions regarding your citizenship status will be asked. You will count!
