The 2001 Census was run by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and data for the whole country is available, free of charge, from their website where you can look at tabular information and even choose areas of interest from a digital map base.
Frequently asked questions
When was the last Census taken?
Who is included in the Census?
How is the information from the Census used?
Who is responsible for the Census?
What questions are asked in the Census?
Is there any information targeted at students?
In what formats is the Census available?
Can I compare results from the 2001 and 1991 Census?
Do I have to acknowledge use of the Census information?
What is the Census?
The Census has run every ten years since 1801. It is the most comprehensive survey of the population and is basically a count of all people and households in the United Kingdom. It gives a clear picture of the United Kingdom because questions are asked, and information is recorded, consistently.
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When was the last Census taken?
The most recent Census day was Sunday 29 April 2001.
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Who is included in the Census?
The Census aims to include everyone. For example: Census teams go out onto the streets in order to count the number of homeless people.
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How is the information from the Census used?
Once all the Census data has been collected and analysed it is outputted in a number of different formats (a description of these are covered later). This data can then be used by Central and Local Government, Health Authorities and other organisations to target resources effectively, plan for housing, transport and health services for the future. Census data is also used by private companies, students and local people, looking at trends in areas of interest.
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Who is responsible for the Census?
The Census is organised and carried out by the Office for National Statistics in England and Wales. Elsewhere the Census responsibilities lie with the General Register Office for Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
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What questions are asked in the Census?
There are a number of questions asked in the Census. In summary, these cover: population, health, housing, employment, transport, ethnic group and, new for 2001, religion.
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Is there any information targeted at students?
Yes, the Office for National Statistics has a good section on their website
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In what formats is the Census available?
There are a number of different data sets available including;
Key Statistics – statistics based on a single theme e.g. KS09C Economic Activity – “Females Aged 16 to 74”.
Standard Tables – these are designed to be compatible with results produced throughout the UK and are usually made up of a combination of data e.g. table S029 “Sex and Age by Hours Worked”.
Theme Tables – these are tables that bring together a range of results on a particular population, such as dependent children.
Census Area Statistics (CAS tables) – these tables compare a range of different data e.g. CAS01 “Age by Sex and Type of Resident”, as well as household, economic and other lifestyle data.
Census Area Statistics (Univariate Tables) – these are single theme tables with good breakdowns of the data e.g. UV04 “Age”, has age as single years.
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Can I compare results from the 2001 and 1991 Census?
This is possible, but it is a good idea to edge on the side of caution because: definitions have changed, geographic boundaries have changed and, in areas where there was under-enumeration, figures have been adjusted to take this into account (this would mainly affect large towns and cities such as London).
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Do I have to acknowledge use of Census information?
Yes, if you intend to publish any Census information e.g. figures from a table placed on a web-site or in a publication, you must register for a free licence.
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Contact details
For general and national Census and statistical information, contact the Office for National Statistics (ONS):
Telephone: 01329 813800