U.S. Census Bureau representatives are visiting homes throughout the community to collect Census responses. You can also respond to the Census today by calling (815) 439-7009.

The U.S. Census Bureau is currently conducting a Special Census in Plainfield. A special census is a count of population and housing units. The process will be similar to the decennial census, residents will be able to respond by phone or a Census representative will visit your home. 

The Village requested a special census due to the community's  growth since 2020 (estimated 10% increase). It is important for residents to respond in order to ensure that the Village is accurately represented and receives its fair share of federal funding that is used for public safety, street repairs, and other municipal services.

Remember, your responses are confidential, secure, and protected.

How to respond:

Residents who were unable to complete the online survey and newer homes that did not receive a mailing will receive a visit from a US Census Bureau representative. During the visit, they will complete a brief interview (less than 10 minutes).

Census Bureau workers who come to your door will present an official government ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. 

Census surveyors will be out daily between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.  If no one is home, the Census taker will leave a notice of their visit with information about how to respond to the Census by phone. Residents can also respond by phone at (815) 439-7009.

The Census Bureau is expected to complete their survey work during the first quarter of 2026.

Special Census FAQ

How will the Census Bureau use the information I provide? 
• By law, information collected by the Census Bureau is only used for statistical purposes. 

Are my answers confidential and private?  
• Yes, your answers are confidential and private. The Census Bureau is required by law to protect your information under Title 13, U.S. Code. 

Do I have to respond? 
• Your participation in the Special Census is voluntary but extremely important. The information the Special Census receives from you ensures the completeness and accuracy of the results.

I already responded to something from the Census Bureau. Can you use that response? 
• The Census Bureau has other surveys being conducted at the same time as the Special Census. We cannot accept the response that you provided for one of our other surveys for the Special Census. If you already responded online to the Special Census, you may disregard the reminder mailings to respond online.  

I have more than one address (moving, vacation home, etc.). How do I respond? 
• Count yourself at your usual residence. That is, where you live and sleep most of the time. If you spend equal time at both places, count yourself at the address of the place where you were staying on the date provided in the question. (Note: For this Special Census, we are only interviewing people in a specific geographic area. If you do not live at the address that we are contacting you about, we may still need to ask you a few questions about the home at the address.) 

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.