Census 2011
Census 2011 - 27 March 2011
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) carries out a census to find out more about the people who live in England and Wales and about the make-up of local neighbourhoods.
The next census will take place on 27 March 2011. ONS will be sending out questionnaires for around 25 million households to complete, asking about work, health, national identity, citizenship, ethnic background, education, second homes, language, marital status and so on. The answers will be turned into statistics used to build a picture of today’s society.
Why should this matter to you?
Like all local authorities in England and Wales, we rely on census population statistics to identify local needs for public services. Central government funding for these is directly related to how many and what kind of people the census shows live in our area. So even if the census were to end up just a few households short, it could make a very real difference to people’s lives. The census needs to include everyone, everywhere – and that’s why everyone has to take part.
What will you need to do?
When the time comes, just answer a few questions about yourself and the people that share your household with you on census day, 27 March 2011.
Whatever you tell the census will be in strictest confidence and will only be used to produce statistics. ONS will not share your personal information with any other government department or organisation.
You’ll be able to do it online. Or by post. But you must do it. If you need help and advice, you will be able to find everything you need online and on the census helpline from 4 March 2011 .
The census needs everyone to take part in helping tomorrow take shape – and this will be your chance to make a difference.