A snapshot of demographic and social life in the UK
The population census is a vital resource for social scientific research and policy development, providing a snapshot of demographic and social life in the UK that helps inform government policy at local and central level.
Many of the UK census data we hold are available without registration or authentication, via the Open Government Licence.
Guidance and training about census data
Different types of census data held in the UK Data Service Collection:
Census aggregate data
Aggregate data provide area counts, usually of individuals or households with particular characteristics. Access information on census aggregate data.
- 2001 and 2011 Census data
Explore via InFuse
- 1971 to 2001 Census data
Explore via Casweb
Census flow data
Census flow data (also known as interaction data) are data that relate to flows of people between places. Access information on census flow data.
- 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011 Census data
Explore via WICID
Census boundary data
We provide access to digitised boundary datasets and geographic look-up tables corresponding to the census geography of the UK. Digital boundaries are provided in common Geographical Information System (GIS) formats.
- 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011 Census data, as well as other boundaries
Explore via Boundary Data Selector
Census microdata
Find out more about different levels of access to a wide range of census microdata from different years on our detailed listing in get census microdata.
We provide access to census microdata, which are individual level data. Large samples of census records have been drawn and anonymised and are known as the Samples of Anonymised Records (SARs).
The Census Microdata Teaching Datasets for Great Britain were created from existing digital records from the 1981, 1971 and 1961 Censuses. They can be used as taster files for census data and are freely available for anyone to download under an Open Government Licence:
- 1981 Census Microdata Teaching Dataset for Great Britain: 1% Sample: Open Access
- 1971 Census Microdata Teaching Dataset for Great Britain: 1% Sample: Open Access
- 1961 Census Microdata Teaching Dataset for Great Britain: 1% Sample: Open Access