Annual Census

Procedure


The General Laws of Massachusetts mandate an annual street listing of residents as of January 1st each year (M.G.L. ch. 51 § 4). The Lowell Election Commission sends out census forms to every household in Lowell each year, at the end of January or beginning of February. Forms are due back to our office within 10 days. The census form asks for your name, gender, date of birth, occupation, and nationality if not a U.S. citizen.

Find out how to complete your census form.

If you have any additional comments, questions or concerns regarding the annual census, please contact the Election and Census Commission at 978-674-1200 for assistance.

Failure to Respond


If you are a registered voter, failure to respond shall result in removal from the active voting list and may result in removal from the voter registration rolls, turning you into an inactive voter.

Find additional information on how the census can impact your voter registration.

Benefits


If you are not a registered voter, it is still important for you to return your census form as many public benefits require proof of residency, which the Election Commission office can provide for any resident who has been counted in the Census.

In addition, an accurate count of residents in Lowell leads to better municipal, state, and federal services, as the current population count of the City is the basis for determining eligibility and allocation of State and Federal funds, programs, and grants. Compliance with this State Law establishes proof of residence to:
  • Housing for the elderly
  • Other related benefits.
  • Protect voting rights
  • Veteran's bonuses

The Annual Census is the only way the Election and Census Commission can verify residency, which directly impacts school enrollment, voting lists, and the maintenance of updated statistics. The Annual Census also furnishes the jury list to the Office of the Jury Commissioner.

Reviewing Census Data


Records of residents 17 years of age or older are public information. A street list book is published each year containing the names and addresses of every resident 17 years of age or older, in accordance with M.G.L. ch. 51 § 6, and is available through the Election Commission for a nominal fee. There is also a street list which is continuously updated available on CD for a nominal fee.