2025 Special Census

Important Update On The Special Census

The City of Aurora was informed by the US Census Bureau late yesterday that the 2025 Aurora Special Census, along with all Special Census activities nationwide, has been paused at the federal level awaiting installation of new federal leadership.

Consequently, the Special Census self-response period, originally scheduled to commence on February 3 in Aurora, has been temporarily postponed.

In response, the City of Aurora is actively collaborating with our federal partners, legislators and other affected cities throughout the country to remain well-informed and to ensure our concerns are acknowledged and addressed at the highest levels of government.

Aurora remains steadfast in its commitment to accurately account for our city’s accurate population and to secure the millions of dollars in funding associated with these efforts.

We will continue to engage with the community throughout this process, maintaining open communication until federal Census activities resume, and we are prepared to launch the Aurora 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 mitigate 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.

Look Up Your Address To See If You Are Apart Of The Special Census!

Areas of Interest

2025 Census Tracts

2025 Census Blocks

The 2025 Special Census will take place in all of Aurora's 10 Wards. It will encompass parts of 35 census tracts in the City, seven of them entire tracts.

Look For These Letters/Postcards In The Mail!

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.

Special Census FAQs

Q: Why was Aurora undercounted in 2020?

A: In 2020, a perfect storm of circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the debate over inclusion of the citizenship question, and new, untested technology designed to count the population, all contributed to Aurora’s undercount.

In the Census Bureau’s 2020 “Post Enumeration Survey,” the State of Illinois was said to be undercounted by 1.97%, while African American populations were undercounted by 3.30% nationwide and Latino populations were undercounted by 4.99% nationwide. Renters were also undercounted by 1.48% nationwide.

The Census Bureau also instituted a new counting technique called “Differential Privacy,” making it impossible for cities to check the Bureau’s work or challenge its results.

All of these factors greatly contributed to Aurora’s undercount, making the 2025 Special Census especially important to ensure Aurora is accurately counted.

Q: Why should I respond to the Special Census?

A: Responding to the 2025 Special Census helps Aurora establish an accurate population count. An accurate count allows the City to better understand and serve the community! An undercount impacts the City’s funding from the Federal Government, which, in turn, impacts the ability to fund key programs and services. Your response will help to restore funding for critical services such as public safety, public works, road repairs, and special events!

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!