Nigel James Bodleian Library

Nigel JamesBodleian Library

The Census

Accessing and mapping British

Census Data

The UK Census• A census is normally taken every ten years


• The first census in 1801 enabled the compilation of essential statistics – such as how many men were available to fight in the Napoleonic War (Population was ca.10M)



• The first “modern” census ( name, age, occupation and where born ) was in 1841



• The first “modern” census ( name, age, occupation and where born ) was in 1841

• Records from 1801, 1811, 1821 and 1831 have been lost

Everyone was included…

From writers . . .

Source: 1851 Census - National Statistics

Everyone was included…

. . . to Royalty

Source: 1851 Census - National Statistics

The 1881 census . . .

The 1881 Census is available online at theCHCC Historical Census Collectionhttp://ahds.ac.uk/history/collections/chccaccess.htm

(ATHENS registration is required)

http://ahds.ac.uk/history/collections/chccaccess.htm

http://ahds.ac.uk/history/collections/chccaccess.htm

The evolving census

• 1911 – punch cards enabled mechanical sorting and counting

The evolving census


• 1920 – The Census Act enabled a census to be held at any time, but not less than 5 years after the previous census (up to 1911 a new act was required each time)

The evolving census


• 1920 – The Census Act enabled a census to be held at any time, but not less than 5 years after the previous census (up to 1911 a new act was required each time)

• 1961 – Computers first used. Data recorded on magnetic tapes

Ethnicity and religion

• 1991 – Question on ethnicity first included (previously based on analysis of country of birth)



• 2001 - Question on religion first included




• Religion by various categories down to ward level




• Religion by various categories down to ward level

• Religion by sex and broad age group only at output area level

Religions in the census

• 6.0% gave their religion as Christian (76% in Havering), followed by Muslim at 3.1% (36% in Tower Hamlets)



• 2.6% of Brighton & Hove’s population were Jedi Knights . . .




• . . . and second was Oxford with 2.0%




• . . . and second was Oxford with 2.0%

• … but Easington had only 0.16%

Accessing census data• Individual returns are confidential for 100 years


• Data is aggregated for release



• Thresholds for the release of data are 40 households and 100 persons for Census Area Statistics, and 400 hh and 1,000 persons for Standard Tables

Accessing census data• Individual returns are confidential for 100

years


• Thresholds for the release of data are 40 households and 100 persons for Census Area Statistics, and 400 hh and 1,000 persons for Standard Tables

• Data which could risk identification of individuals is only available in standard tables

The 2001 Census geography

• A new geography was introduced



• Output areas (based on postcodes) replaced enumeration districts. They are smaller and more homogenous so statistics are better



• Output areas (based on postcodes) replaced enumeration districts. They are smaller and more homogenous so statistics are better

• Each census area unit (OA, ward, district, county etc.) “nests” within the higher level unit

Census geography areas

Source: National Statistics

WardOutput areaPostcode

How much data is there ? (2001)

Source: National Statistics

Census data at CASWEB 2001 aggregate statistics datasets for England &

Wales. (Boundary data is available in the Map Room and from UKBorders)



1991 GB Local Base Statistics and Small Area Statistics supplied with digital boundary data




1991 Northern Ireland Small Area Statistics




1991 Northern Ireland Small Area Statistics

1981 GB Small Area Statistics

Selecting an area - 1




Selecting a dataset table

Selecting data variables

Download the dataPreview the selection:

Data is downloaded in plain text formatThis can be used in Excel, Access or other

software

Visualising your data

• Mapping census data reveals spatial patterns



• Maps are an ideal way to present spatially referenced data




• A simple mapping tool is available on CASWEB (currently 1991 data only)




• A simple mapping tool is available on CASWEB (currently 1991 data only)

• Census data can be mapped and combined with other features (roads, railways etc) in a GIS (Geographic Information System)

Visualising data in a GIS

Table view Map view

Choosing an appropriate style

Raw counts can be misleading . . .

Choosing an appropriate style

Raw counts can be misleading . . .

. . . So use proportional values

Displaying multiple variables

Displaying multiple variables

All data values for a selected area can be viewed with the Info Tool

The Info Tool can also be used to modify values

Using inflection

Using inflection

Relating data to the area Digital Ordnance Survey data can be downloaded from DIGIMAP and combined with census data from CASWEB

DIGIMAP is FREE to registered users

Additional data sources• National Statistics Census pages

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census/



• NOMIS (official labour market statistics at local and national level and census data) http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/




• Scottish Census Results Online (SCROL) http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/common/home.jsp

http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/

Additional data sources• National Statistics Census pages.



• Scottish Census Results Online (SCROL) http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/common/home.jsp

• Northern Ireland Census of Population http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census/start.htm

http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/

http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/common/home.jsp

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Nigel James Bodleian Library