Postponed due to government shutdown, Wheeling census is coming this summer

Postponed because of last year's federal government shutdown, a special census in Wheeling was rescheduled and should start in early June, officials said Friday.

The census will focus on neighborhoods north of Hintz Road past Dundee Road, and east of Schoenbeck Road almost as far as Wolf Road. Village officials believe that area has experienced substantial growth because of the multifamily residential developments that have been built there since 2020, such as Uptown 500 and Union Apartments.

The 2020 federal census put the town at 39,137 people. Proof of population growth could net Wheeling a greater share of some state tax revenues.

The process will begin the first week of June when residents will receive letters and postcards from the U.S. Census Bureau asking them to complete an online survey. The questionnaire should take about 10 minutes to complete.

By law, all answers are confidential and only may be used for statistical purposes.

Residents have until July 3 to respond. After that date, Census Bureau field representatives will visit homes to collect information in person.

Field representatives will have identification badges displaying their names, photographs and U.S. Commerce Department watermarks. They’ll also have bags and equipment with the Census Bureau logo.

The count was initially scheduled to begin in October 2025. But because the federal government ceased most operations for 43 days starting Oct. 1, preparations stopped.

The village pays for the study. Expanding the census villagewide would increase the cost beyond the anticipated tax revenue bump, officials have said.

More information about the special census can be found at wheelingil.gov/2262/Special-Census-2026.

The U.S. Census Bureau is hiring part-time field representatives for the assignment. Information about those positions and applications are available at usajobs.gov/job/860049200.