Facts & figures about Herefordshire

Census

A compulsory census of population has taken place in England and Wales every ten years since 1801 (except 1941).  Individual details are kept secret for one hundred years, after which time they are often accessed by people researching their family history.  However, statistics about local areas published soon after each census provide a wealth of information that helps organisations understand the areas they serve.

This page gives information about the results of the 2001 census, the latest one for which statistics are available.  See the box on the right for more information about the 2011 census, which took place in April this year.  Statistics from this year's census will start to become available towards the middle of 2012. 

The 2001 Census

The 2001 census was carried out by ONS in April 2001, with the first statistics released about 18 months later.  Because of the range of topics it covers, and the level of geographical detail it can provide, it is the most comprehensive source of information about people living in Herefordshire.

Despite being nearly a decade old, the 2001 Census remains the only source for many useful pieces of information, for instance levels of limiting long-term illness; self-employment; working from home; car availability; owner-occupation of houses; provision of unpaid care. Where this is the case, census figures are included in our current local area profiles.  Census data and supporting analysis can also be accessed from the relevant topic pages in the left-hand menu.

Key statistics about Herefordshire county and how it compared to England & Wales in 2001 can be downloaded from the box below.  Also available are detailed census key statistics for each ward, Hereford city and the market towns of Bromyard, Kington, Ledbury, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye (although unless you really need the detail from the census the more recent area profiles might be more helpful). 

Census key statistics profiles are also available for most civil parishes, although not all have an individual profile.  A full set of statistics was not released for parishes with fewer than 100 residents or 40 households, so these are grouped together with other small parishes, and combined profiles are available.  Where possible, profiles have also been produced for group parishes (e.g. Abbeydore & Bacton Group).  All of the parish profiles are available by contacting us on 01432 260498 or e-mailing researchteam@herefordshire.gov.uk.

If you can't find the census information you're looking for either here or on our topic pages, feel free to contact us.  Alternatively, if you would like to download and analyse the data yourself, many tables are published on the NOMIS and Neighbourhood Statistics websites, which are run by ONS.

Last updated: 23 May 2011