Local Town Census

What is the Local Town Census?

The Local Town Census (sometimes called the Annual Street Listing) is mailed to every household in January of each year. The census form contains the information of all members of the household, including address, names, dates of birth, occupations, voter status (party), veteran status, nationality (if not US Citizen) and number of dogs. All occupants of the household, including children, should be listed on the census form. The form needs to be signed by the resident (under the penalties of perjury), dated and returned to the Office of the Town Clerk in the envelope provided within 10 days of receipt. If there are no changes, the form still needs to be signed and returned to the Office of the Town Clerk.

For your convenience, a blank census form is provided below. This form can also be used by new residents who move to town during the course of the year. Census forms can be returned via hand delivery to any of the Census dropboxes located outside Town Hall, at the Freetown Police Station or the Public Libraries, or via mail to:

Office of the Town Clerk & Board of Registars
P.O. Box 438
Assonet, MA 02702

Is the Local Town Census Mandatory?

Yes. The census envelope contains a warning (as directed by Mass. General Law Chapter 51 §4) that failure to respond to the census mailing for 2 consecutive years will result in removal from the active voting list. 

Why is it so important to complete & return the Local Town Census?

Data provided aids the Town and it's residents in a variety of different ways. Data provided is used to:

• Maintain an accurate & current voter registration list.
• Maintain an accurate list of residents of the Town.
• Assist Public Safety and First Responders in responding to emergency calls.
• Apply for grants to fund projects and offset costs.
• Assemble a fair and representative jury pool by the Commonwealth's Office of the Jury Commissioner.
• Assist the Town and State in calculating State & Federal Aid.
• Project future school enrollment and for school registration.
• Serve as proof of residency, such as qualification for in-state college tuition, job applications, adoption or other special applications, identity theft, social security benefits, tenancy, military/veteran benefits, etc.

Why should I fill out my Local Town Census?

Important Census Information with Respect to Voting: In June, voters who fail to respond will be categorized with 'inactive' voter status. This does not mean that you cannot vote, it means that the Clerk does not have proof that you still reside in Freetown. If you do not live in Freetown, you are not eligible to vote in Freetown. At the polls on Election Day, you will be asked to show identification to prove that you still reside in Freetown.

Is the Local Census Confidential?

In each town, only a few people are authorized to have access to the information that you provide on the Local Census. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains the security of the system in accordance with Massachusetts data security laws. All information pertaining to children under 17 is not considered a record for public access (information is accessible to the school committee and police department per MGL). The veterans information is also confidential and can only be released to the local veterans' service officer, adjutant general and secretary of veterans' services. There are NO social security numbers or financial information tied to any person with the Local Census.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Last year I indicated someone moved out of my household, why are they still listed in the form provided?
  A registered voter who moves and does not register to vote in another community, or request removal in writing (with a signature), cannot be removed from our voter rolls for three years.

• What do the letters under "Voter" mean?
  If a letter appears in the "Voter" column, the person is a registered voter in the Town of Freetown. The letters stand for the following:

  A - Conservative Party	L - Libertarian	V - America First Party
  B - Natural Law Party	M - Timesizing Not Downsizing	W - Veterans Party America
  C - New World Council	N - New Alliance Party	X - Pirate
  D - Democratic	O - Massachusetts Independent Party	Y - World Citizens Party
  E - Reform Party	P - Prohibition Party	Z - Working Families
  F - Rainbow Coalition	Q - American Independent Party	AA - Pizza Party
  G - Green Party USA	R - Republican	BB - American Term Limits
  H - We the People	S - Socialist	CC - United Independent Party
  J - Green-Rainbow	T - Interdependent Third Party	DD - Twelve Visions Party
  K - Constitution Party	U - Unenrolled

  When you register to vote in Massachusetts, you may choose to enroll in a political party or political designation or may choose to remain "unenrolled", which is commonly referred to as independent. If you enroll in a party, which are indicated by the bold lettering above, you may only vote in that party's primary (the Libertarian Party is returning to a Party designation in 2023 after a few years as a designation). All other options are considered political designations, and are considered the same as "Unenrolled" (in italics, above); you may still vote in state and presidential primaries by choosing a party ballot, and you will still remain "unenrolled".
  
  For more information regarding the political parties and designations, please click here to visit the Directory page on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website.
  
  If a letter does NOT appear in the "Voter" column, the person is NOT a registered voter in the Town of Freetown.

• Can I change my voter registration status with the Local Census?
  You cannot change your voter registration status (or party affiliation) with the Local Census form. If you wish to register to vote or change your party affiliation, please visit VoteInMA.com or stop into the Office of the Town Clerk.

• Is this the same as the Federal Census?
  The Local Town Census is not the same as the Federal Census. The Federal Census comes to each and every city and town in the United States every 10 years (last in 2020) - the Local Town Census is an annual census. The assorted data collected in each census is utilized by different state and federal agencies. More information on the Federal Census can be found at www.census.gov. "QuickFacts" on the Town of Freetown from census.gov can be found by clicking here. 

  Population Counts - Town of Freetown (Source: Federal Census Bureau)
  2020	9,206
  2010	8,870
  2000	8,472
  1990	8,533
  1980	7,058
  1970	4,270
  1960	3,039
  1950	2,104
  1940	1,584
  1930	1,656
  1920	1,532
  1910	1,471

• Are there other census/surveys that go out?
  There are not any that come from the Town of Freetown, however some may come from the Census Bureau and other federal bureaus or government agencies. An example of this would be American Community Survey, which seeks answers to questions that are more detailed than those on the official Federal Census. The Census bureau has provided the Office of the Town Clerk with a link to help residents verify whether or not a household survey is legitimate, or if a survey representative is indeed an employee of the Census bureau; to use this resource, please click here.