The Census

The Census is the most comprehensive single survey of the United Kingdom population.

It aims to count all people and households at the same time and, by asking a core set of questions, allow comparison between different areas of the country and different groups of people.

The information from the Census enables central and local government to target resources and plan service provision more effectively. It also provides a broad range of demographic, social and economic information for use by other public services, the business and academic sectors, and the community.

The Census has been carried out on a single nominated day every 10 years since 1801, with just one interruption in 1941. The most recent Census was held on Sunday 29 April 2001. In England and Wales, the Census is currently undertaken by the Government's Office for National Statistics (ONS). Elsewhere in the UK, responsibility lies with the General Register Office for Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

These pages contain links to the following:

1991 Census: county/ward profiles and 1991-2001 comparisons

2001 Census: the latest statistics, local area profiles and background information

2011 Census: planning for the next Census, including key dates and latest news.

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Note: Historic Census records

Individual Census forms are available for family history research purposes.  The forms remain confidential for 100 years, so 1901 would normally be the most recent Census for which information could be viewed.  However, records from the 1911 Census have recently been made available.  For further information in respect of Swansea records, please contact the Family History Centre at West Glamorgan Archive Service.