What do we mean by Census Geography?

Census geography describes the subdivision of the country for Census purposes.

Census geography has two purposes:

• the organisation of data collection (i.e. collection geography), and
• the provision of a framework for the output of results (i.e. output geography)

In the past these two geographies have sometimes been the same but with new data handling technologies there are more opportunities to use separate geographical units for data collection and dissemination.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) [Note: This link opens in a new window] have produced an on-line publication called the Beginners' Guide to UK Geography which can be accessed using the search facility on the home page. This publication provides further information about census geography.

See also CHCC Unit 12: Geographies and Map Resources for Use with Census Data. [Note: this link opens in a new window]