Why is the Census important?
The Census is a snapshot of the entire population and provides high quality counts of the population for small areas. It is the most complete source of information about the population we have. It provides essential statistical information, enabling the planning and funding of public services, including education, health and transport. Results also support research and business. Information is available from the national level down to neighbourhoods.
The latest Census was held on Sunday 29th April 2001 and for the first time central Government is making information freely available to the public on the internet.
Confidentiality
Information on individuals is not released. Only statistical tables are published.
The confidentiality of personal information is of paramount importance and disclosure protection measures are used to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of information about identifiable individuals. Disclosure of personal Census information is an offence. The Office for National Statistics have processed the Census forms in secure conditions. Paper copies will be destroyed. Digital images of individual responses will only be made public after 100 years.
What information is available?
A copy of the Census form, with all the questions that were asked, can be found at the National Statistics website using the related link below.
Comparisons with previous censuses.
Care should be taken in comparing statistics from different censuses. There may be fundamental changes in the way the statistics are collected, questions asked may be phrased differently and the geographic areas may have been altered..
There are a number of differences between the 1991 Census and the 2001 Census that users should be aware of if comparing results.
For example:
- Whilst it is normal practice to adjust census counts for the estimated level of under enumeration, the One Number Census 2001 adjusted the Census database itself for the estimated undercount so that all statistics add to One Number.
- The 1991 census counted those resident on census night whereas the 2001 census statistics relate to where people usually live.
- Students in the 1991 census were counted at their vacation address rather than their term time address as in the 2001 census.
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Census of population 2011
The 2011 Census Programme has researched the need for conducting a census and concluded that there is a unique value in and continuing need for the type of information collected by the census and that the census is the best way of collecting this information in 2011.
Planning for the 2011 Census is underway which includes consultation on questions to be included, the testing of innovative technology, systems and principles and a rehearsal of the complete census system in 2009.
For more information please contact the Northamptonshire Observatory (see Related Links below).