How do I complete the census form for a second home, cabin or seasonal residence?

If you have a second residence or place that you stay in addition to the place that you stay most of the time (for example, a cabin, vacation or seasonal home, or apartment in another city where you only stay during work travel), you will need to complete the census for both homes.

The census refers to this scenario as having a “usual home elsewhere.” The short answer to this question is: you will answer ‘0’ to the question concerning the number of people living or staying at that address, then select ‘For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use’ (if the unit is not being rented out, sold, used to house migrant workers or otherwise utilized) for the following question that asks why no one will be living at that address.

If you have already completed the form for your usual residence, you are done and can exit the form by closing the page at this time. If you have not yet completed the form for your usual residence, you can follow the instructions to complete the form for that address.

The following is the full sequence of steps that you will follow to complete the form for a second residence that is not your ‘usual residence’:

You will begin the form by entering the Census ID (if you have one) or the address of the second residence that is not your usual residence.

When asked how many people will be living or staying at this address on April 1, you will answer ‘0’ and click ‘Next.’ The form will then ask you to confirm this answer twice.

The first time you will see a red tag that provides the following instruction: “Please include yourself when reporting the number of people.” You will just click the ‘Next’ button again.

The second time you will see a popup that asks “On April 1, 2020, will you be living or staying at ______________[Address]?” You will answer ‘No’ in the popup box.

The form will then ask:

What is the primary reason why no one will be living or staying at [Address of Unit] on April 1, 2020? The unit will be –

• For rent
• Rented, not occupied
• For sale only
• Sold, not occupied
• For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use
• For migrant workers
• Other

You will click on “For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use” (if the unit is not being rented out, sold, used to house migrant workers or used for a different purpose).

The form will then state:

“Thank you for providing information for 11112 186TH AVE NW. Since you will not be living or staying at this address on Census Day, you do not need to provide any additional information for it.”

The form will then ask:

Do you have another Census ID for the place you will be living or staying on April 1, 2020?

• Yes
• No

If you have already completed the form for the place that you live or stay most of the time (your usual residence), you can exit the form by closing the page at this time. If not, you can continue to complete the form for your usual residence by either entering the Census ID for that address or answering ‘No’ and entering the street or rural route address for your usual residence.