Completing the Population Census quest in Escape from Tarkov requires you to track down a housing office journal on the Streets of Tarkov map for Therapist. Unlocked at player level 12 after completing Pharmacist, this early-to-mid-game task sends you straight into one of the most densely populated and dangerous urban sectors of the game. You need to locate the hidden journal, survive the extraction, and hand it over to claim your medical and cash rewards.
Navigating the bustling combat zones of Streets of Tarkov isn't easy, especially when hunting for a small item with multiple random spawn points. This guide breaks down the precise prerequisites, exact building coordinates, all known spawn locations, and survival tactics to help you complete the task without losing your gear.
Quest Prerequisites and Overview
Before you can accept Population Census from Therapist, you must meet specific progression requirements. Missing any of these steps means the task won't appear in your traders menu.
- Minimum Level: You must be at least level 12.
- Prerequisite Quest: You must finish Therapist's "Pharmacist" quest first.
- Objectives: Locate the resident details journal inside the Housing Department on Streets of Tarkov, survive and extract, then hand the item over to Therapist.
- Rewards: You receive 6,900 EXP, 35,000 Roubles, two Salewa first aid kits, two Medical tools, and positive Therapist reputation.
Finding the Housing Department on Streets of Tarkov
The target item rests inside a yellow housing administration building situated on Streets of Tarkov. To find it easily, head down Primorskij Avenue, keeping your eyes open for the prominent sky bridge located near the Pinewood Hotel and directly across from the Burger Spot fast-food restaurant. Further reporting by Bloomberg highlights comparable perspectives on the subject.
The building sits right beneath or adjacent to this structural archway. Because the main front entrance of the housing office is heavily boarded up, you can't walk straight in from the main street. Instead, walk through the small courtyard or playground on the left side of the building. Look for a red door at the rear, which serves as your primary access point.
Clear the courtyard carefully before pushing inside. AI Scavs frequently patrol this alleyway, and other PMC players often stake out the entrance during early raid timers.
Journal Spawn Locations
Once you breach the rear red door, you'll enter a ground-floor hallway. The black journal contains resident details and spawns in one of several specific spots inside the office rooms. Check these exact locations in order:
- Second Office on the Right: Enter the hallway and take the second door on your right. Check the lower compartment of the bookshelf or on top of the desk.
- Third Office on the Right: Further down the hall, look inside the office featuring a double desk and a lamp. The journal often rests directly under the lamp.
- Main Reception Desk: Near the interior staircase, check the main reception counter. Look in the small drawer near the base of the desk or behind the counter partition.
- Last Office on the Left: Head to the final room on the left side of the hallway. Inspect the first desk on your right, where the item can spawn hanging off the edge.
- Upstairs Office: If the ground floor rooms are empty, walk up the stairs to the first floor. Take the first open door on the left and check the floor space between the empty bookshelf and the dark desk.
If you check all five spots and find nothing, another player has likely looted it already. In that case, focus on survival, find a safe extract, and try again in a fresh raid.
Surviving the Extraction
Securing the journal places a "Found in Raid" requirement status on it only if you managed to grab it clean, but for this quest, you just need to possess it and extract safely. Store the journal inside your secure container immediately if you have a free 1x1 slot. This guarantees progress even if you get ambushed on your way out.
Plan your route toward reliable extraction points like Sewer River or Collapsed Crane, depending on what's active for your raid session. Move cautiously along perimeter walls and avoid open street tiles where sniper Scavs or high-level players can catch you out in the open.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Rushing the Building Too Early: Sprinting straight to the Housing Department right at spawn often results in immediate death. Wait a few minutes for initial PvP clashes to settle down.
- Ignoring Sound Cues: The building has tight corridors where audio positioning is crucial. Stop moving and listen for footsteps before opening interior doors.
- Forgetting Inventory Space: Ensure you have an open slot in your inventory or secure container before interacting with the spawn locations, though the item is small enough to fit almost anywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level do I need to be for Population Census?
You must reach player level 12 and complete the Pharmacist questline for Therapist before this task becomes available in your task list.
Does the journal need to be Found in Raid?
No, the quest simply requires you to obtain the journal and successfully extract from the raid, then turn it in to Therapist.
What are the best extracts near the Housing Department?
Depending on your map side, the Sewer River and Collapsed Crane extractions offer the safest routes away from the central housing block.
Why can't I open the front door of the Housing Department?
The front entrance is boarded up intentionally by game design. You must walk around the left side through the playground area and enter through the rear red door.
