Census

Census Forms should be returned as promptly as possible via mail or in person:

Town Clerk
511 Main Street
Dunstable, MA 01827

Local Census

The Town Clerk conducts an Annual Census for the Town of Dunstable, usually in late December for the upcoming year, as required by Massachusetts General Laws. The information collected is name, date of birth, nationality, and occupation. All members of your household should be listed on the annual town census (see privacy note below). Voters are required to return the form annually to retain their active status on the voter list.

The Board of Registrars is required by State Statute to verify and update the name, address, age and occupation of all residents in preparation for the Annual Street List. Compliance with this State requirement provides proof of residence to protect voting rights, veterans' bonus, housing for the elderly and related benefits as well as providing information for selection of jurors. Sometimes people need to prove prior residence for a particular period, by answering the census you will create the record of your period of residency in Dunstable.

New residents are requested to fill out a census soon after you move into Dunstable.

The census mailing also includes a dog license renewal application.

The information collected during the census is used by several town departments, including public safety, in carrying out their mission for the Town of Dunstable. The Town Clerk uses the information to update and verify voting lists and to produce the List of Residents which is mandatory under state law.

The census form does not register you as a voter. If you wish to register to vote or change party affiliation you must fill out a voter registration form and file it with the Town Clerk. If you are a registered voter, failure to answer this annual census may result in the voter’s name being removed from the voting list. Failure to answer the census will cause you to be listed as an "inactive voter" and require you to show proof of continuous residency in Dunstable in order to reactivate your voting status.

No information can be released for children under the age of 17 for any purpose, except to the chair of the School Committee for enrollment purposes and the Chief of Police for emergency management.

Federal Census

The decennial Federal Census was conducted in 2010 by the Federal Government. This is a different data gathering effort. Data collected by the federal census is strictly confidential to the US Census Department and is not shared, except in aggregate form with any other federal, state or local agency. Federal census data does not identify respondents by name.

For information from the Secretary of State on "inactive voter", please click here.