Statistics

The 2001 census

A census of population is conducted every 10 years and is a vital source of information about the distribution and condition of the population of the United Kingdom.

Census day was 29 April 2001. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released the first results on 30 September 2002. Access to the main results of the census general statistical information is available free and use is unresticted. This is a major change from previous censuses and reflects wider policies on government information. Information on individuals is only available after 100 years, however.

The population counts from this census will form the basis for key decisions over the next 10 years. The first release of data detailed the age and gender characteristics of the resident population on a national, constituent local authority district and unitary authority level. More data are available from the ONS website (www.statistics.gov.uk/census).

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