What is the Census?

The national population Census is carried out every ten years with the last one taking place on 29th April 2001.   

The Census is a count of all people and households and is the most comprehensive survey of the UK population.  It is the only survey which provides a detailed picture of the entire population.

Every household is provided with a questionnaire which they are legally required to complete. The same core questions are asked of everybody at the same time across the UK.

How is the information used?

The information from the Census allows the Council and other public bodies to plan services and target resources more effectively. It tells us, for example, the balance of young and old people, what jobs people do, and the type of housing they live in.  Other areas covered by the Census include population, ethnicity, transport and employment.

Who is responsible for carrying out the Census?

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) organise and manage the Census.  They are also responsible for providing the results. You can download a copy of the Census form used in 2001.  

The 2001 Census gathered information on 96% of people living in Wolverhampton. This is above the national average of 94%. 

In addition to the 2001 Census, a further Census Coverage Survey was conducted by ONS to help capture the missing information from people who had not been counted. 

The two sets of information were then added together to give a 100% count.

What happens to individual Census forms?

The information provided on individual census forms is strictly confidential, and will not be published for 100 years.

Wolverhampton Archives and Local Studies has detailed records from the 1901 and earlier Censuses for Wolverhampton and neighbouring areas. Only statistics are available from more recent Censuses.

When will the next Census take place?

The next full Census of England and Wales will take place during April 2011.  a complete rehearsal of the 2011 Census system will take place in 2009.

2007 Census test

On 13 May 2007 a major field test was carried out to form part of the planning and testing programme leading up to the 2011 Census.

The test focussed on five local authorities covering varying area types and included approximately 100,000 households. 

• Liverpool (representing services and cities)
• Camden (London Centre)
• Bath and North East Somerset (Prospering UK)
• Carmarthenshire (Coastal and Countryside)
• Stoke-on-Trent (Mining and Manufacturing)

The purpose of the test was to assess the effectiveness of potential new questions (particularly income related questions) and test feasibility of posting questionnaires.  

The following is a breakdown of the type of questions that appeared in the test.

Household:

• 1 page listing household members
• 1 page for visitors details
• 1 page for accommodation questions i.e Who is your landlord?

Individual members

• Half page for demographic questions
• Half page focussing on migration
• 1 page for ethnicity, national identity, language and religion
• Half page for 2nd residences
• 1 page in relation to economic activity status, qualifications, health and disability
• Half page for income related questions.  

There are some questions that were not included in the test because the results are not likely to change significantly and therefore will only require minimal testing i.e questions on the relationships between household members.  

A copy of the 2007 test questionnaire is available to view on the ONS website.    

Further information

If you require further information or guidance on the use or interpretation of Census data, please contact us.