Naperville census starts Thursday

Naperville will begin a head count this week in hopes of improving services and increasing its share of state dollars.

More than 30 special census workers will hit the streets beginning Thursday.

"We encourage Naperville residents to participate in the special census as it benefits all areas of the city, especially those that have experienced growth since the last special census," said Dan DiSanto, assistant to the city manager.

Residents can expect to see workers on their doorstep during evenings and weekends, identified by a special badge. Because it's a special census, they'll only be asking basic questions such as name, age, sex, race and marital status.

Workers will attempt to contact residents in person and by phone up to six times and plan to wrap up by Sept. 30.

Unlike the detailed, citywide counts conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau every 10 years, this one will only include areas where the city believes it has seen growth - mostly the southwest side and senior developments.

Each new resident will bring in about $110 in state funding, according to DiSanto. In addition, the city will get a closer look at its constituents.

"It helps us to better know the citizenry of Naperville in order to provide better services for them," DiSanto said.

The city is spending $284,450 to perform the census but he said it will see the return on its investment by next fall.

Naperville experienced significant growth in the 1980s and 1990s. In the last regular census in 2000, the population was 128,358, up from about 85,000 a decade before.

The most recent special census in 2003 put Naperville's population at 136,380. Officials expect an increase of about 7,000 from the new count.

If that estimate holds, the city's population would be just below Joliet's 144,316. Joliet recently eclipsed Naperville in size, taking over the state's number four spot.

The city expects to have preliminary counts before the end of the year and an official count next spring.

For information, including a list of the neighborhoods included in the census, visit www.naperville.il.us/specialcensus.aspx or call (630) 305-4450.