Access codes for Calgary's annual civic census are going into the mail Friday.

The codes are being mailed to all households so that Calgarians can fill out the census online — and register to vote in the fall municipal election at the same time.

Calgary elections and census manager Paul Denys says it's important residents take part.

"The information collected as part of the census is used extensively for planning purposes, whether it would be transportation, water services, recreation, as well as by school boards for their enrolment needs."

Denys says the online tool takes people through a series of questions, which should not take any more than a couple minutes.

Door-to-door option still available

Door-to-door census takers will start visiting people who have not entered their information online starting on April 22.

Census information is used for planning services, such as roads, transit, recreation and water services, as well as the school boards for enrolment predictions and decisions on future schools, the city says.

Anyone who has technical difficulties, or has lost their access code, can call 403-476-4100 (option 3), Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m, or on Saturday and Sunday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Users can also visit calgary.ca/census to request a new code.