Countdown to the count! One year to go

The countdown has begun with one year to go until the 2011 Census, where residents in Warwickshire will take part in the nation's biggest survey.

Every ten years the Office for National Statistics (ONS) carries out a census to find out more about the people who live in England and Wales, and about the make-up of local neighbourhoods, taking a numerical snapshot on a single date to gain an accurate picture of the population. The next census will take place on Sunday 27 March 2011, when ONS will be sending out questionnaires for around 25 million households to complete.

The census asks about work, health, national identity, citizenship, ethnic background, education, second homes, language, religion, marital status and so on. These statistics are then used to build a picture of today's society.

Like all local authorities in England and Wales, Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwickshire County Council, relies on census population statistics to get the government funding we need for public services. How much we get is directly related to how many and what kind of people the census says live in our area. So even if the census were to end up just a few households short, it could make a very real difference to people's lives. The census needs to include everyone, everywhere - and that's why everyone has to take part.

In March 2011 your questionnaire will come by post and can be returned using the pre-paid envelope or for the first time ever you will be able to do it online.  You must complete it and everything you tell the census is in strictest confidence, it should only take around 10 minutes to complete for each person and the information will only be used to produce statistics. ONS will not share your personal information with any other government department or organisation.

The census needs everyone to take part in helping tomorrow take shape - and this is your chance to make a difference.  For more information visit: http://comms.census.gov.uk/