Information about the 2021 census
About the census
Every ten years the Office for National Statistics (ONS) carries out a census to find out more about:
- the people who live in England and Wales
- the make-up of local neighbourhoods
The last census took place on Sunday 21 March 2021, when ONS sent out questionnaires to around 25 million households.
The census asks about a range of things, including:
- work
- health
- national identity
- citizenship
- ethnic background
- education
- second homes
- language
- religion
- marital status
This information builds a picture of society.
Why should this matter?
Like all local authorities in England and Wales, the council relies on census population statistics to receive the government funding needed to provide public services.
How much we receive relates to how many and what kind of people the census says live in our area.
Even if the census were to end up just a few households short, it could make a very real difference to our community.
Census 2021
The 2021 census was mainly digital. Most households will have received a letter containing a unique code that provided access to an online questionnaire.
Some households may have received a paper questionnaire that needed to be completed and returned to the census office.
The official census day was Sunday 21 March 2021.
Census information
If you would like more information about the Census 2021, please visit the Census website.
The statistics will be available from 2022 and published at the Office for National Statistics website.
You can find information about Census 2011 on the Office for National Statistics - 2011 census website page.