About the 2021 Census

The census is a survey that happens every 10 years and gives us a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales.  The census is unique, with no other information source able to provide so much detail about us and the society we live in.

In one way or another, information from the census touches the lives of every single person living in the UK.  It helps the government, local authorities and other public bodies to plan and fund local services, including new schools, doctors' surgeries and transport for example.

The Census has been carried out on a single nominated day every 10 years since 1801, with just one interruption (during the Second World War) in 1941.  In England and Wales, the Census is undertaken by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).  Elsewhere in the UK, responsibility lies with National Records of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

In early March 2021, ONS sent out letters to all households in England and Wales inviting them to take part in the Census, and explaining how they can access support.  The Census questionnaire sought information on people's age, sex, nationality, ethnic background, health, language, work, education and other key population and household characteristics.  The statistics produced were used to provide a picture of society in 2021, change over time and local variations.

Like all local authorities in England and Wales, Swansea Council relies on census information to identify local needs and plan the delivery of services, including planning, social care, education and transport.  In addition, government funding for these services is directly related to the number and characteristics of people in Swansea recorded by the census.  The data is also widely used by academics, businesses, voluntary organisations and the general public.

The first Census results for Swansea are available here: 2021 Census Swansea results.

For further background information about the Census, please visit the ONS website www.ons.gov.uk/census (opens new window).  The site includes national information about the Census, the preparations for 2021, the Census release timeline, finding data by topic, definitions, historic data, and accessing ONS support.