Census forms are being delivered this week to all Island households in readiness for completion on Sunday 24 April.

Census Project Manager Adam Smith explained: “Census Night is Sunday 24 April. All households in the Island are asked to complete the census form on the 24th either by filling in the paper version that is currently being distributed or online.

“As part of Government’s Digital Strategy, this census will be the first to offer online completion. Every home will still be provided with a paper version of the form, but it will come with a unique online code that will allow them to access the online form.

“The online form will guide households through the questions they should be answering, prevent questions from being missed and can be completed more quickly and accurately than the paper version.”

Help will be available on line and at the Census Office.

The Census Office, located in the Government Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal, will be available to assist the public by phone and email as well as respond to personal inquiries.

Residents who would like to complete their return online but are not confident using the internet can visit the Census Office, and be helped through the process.

Households may also request assistance in their homes. A Census Officer will be able to visit and help them complete the form from 25 April until 6 May. Support will be available for those whose first language is not English.

Further information, including responses to Frequently Asked Questions, is also available on the Government website: https://www.gov.im/categories/home-and-neighbourhood/census-2016/. 

After 9 May reminders letters will be sent and the census team will visit all properties that have not yet completed and returned the census form.

The census results, including an accurate count of the Island’s population, will be used to help Government, local authorities and businesses plan services for the future.

The Isle of Man has held a full census every ten years since 1821. In addition, since 1996 a shorter interim census has been carried out at the halfway point between the full censuses.