Census

Introduction to the Census
The first census was taken in 1801, and others have occurred every ten years since, except in 1941. The census is the most complete source of information about the population and households that is available. It is vital in helping people to understand how we live in the 21st century and how we are changing. This is necessary in order to plan for and make decisions about the future.

The latest Census was held on Sunday 29 April 2001. A Census form was delivered to every household, establishment, or to people living anywhere else throughout England and Wales. Each completed form was then posted to or collected by the Office for National Statistics so that they could begin work on analysing the results.

The 2001 Census results
The 2001 census results have been released by the Office for National Statistics over a four year period. This started in October 2002 with the release of a resident population count. The first slice of results were published on 13 February 2003. These were called the 'Key Statistics' and were designed to meet the needs of most casual users of the census. Since this time more detailed tables of results called 'Standard Tables' and 'Census Area Statistics' have been released. Finally in April 2004 the complex 'special migration statistics' and 'special workplace statistics' were released.

Please select the link on this page entitled 'Census - 2001 - online results available' to find out what information and analysis is available from the 2001 Census. This includes Census Area Profiles, theme reports and information sheets.

Please select the links on this page to find out more about the 2001 Census undertaken in:

• England and Wales - 'National Statistics 2001 census web pages'.
• Scotland - 'Scotland's Census results on-line web page'.
• Northern Ireland - 'Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency'.

The 1991 Census results
Please select the link on this page entitled 'Census - 1991 - profiles of results' to view or download research and information from the 1991 census results for Shropshire. Census profiles are available on-line for Shropshire, the five districts and the electoral wards. Detailed results of the 1991 Census can also be provided in response to ad-hoc enquiries. Please use the contact details on this page.

For further background to the 1991 Census please select the link on this page entitled 'Background to the 1991 Census'.

The 1981 Census results
The 1981 Census results are not available in an electronic form suitable for making the information available on-line. However more detailed results can be provided in response to ad-hoc enquiries. Please use the contact details on this page. Profiles of information are available in hard copy for the 1981 Census. These profiles cover the county, the five districts and civil parishes and electoral wards in Shropshire (including Telford and Wrekin).

Census results - 1931, 1951, 1961 and 1971
Results from 1931, 1951 and 1961 censuses are generally limited to shorter summary reports. These reports together with the summary reports produced from the 1971 Census can be viewed or downloaded by following the link on this page entitled 'Census results - 1931, 1951, 1961 and 1971'.

Profiles of information are available in hard copy for the 1971 Census. These profiles were produced prior to boundary changes in 1974. So they cover the county (including Telford & Wrekin), the urban and rural districts, the metropolitan boroughs, civil parishes and electoral wards that were in operation in 1971. Information from these profiles can be made available in response to ad-hoc enquiries. Please use the contact details on this page.

Issues of confidentiality
The confidentiality of personal information collected from the census is of paramount importance. The Census forms are collected and processed in secure conditions, and the Census Confidentiality Act 1991 gives legal protection by making the unauthorised disclosure of personal Census information an offence. A digital image of each 2001 Census form is captured for processing. A microfilm version is retained in strict confidentiality to be released after 100 years as a public record of great interest to family historians.

Directions to the 1901 Census records
The latest release of historical census information has been for the 1901 Census. For the first time the 1901 Census records are available on-line. This is a major step forward in making it easier for members of the public to::

• find out about how their ancestors lived in 1901
• to develop their family tree
• to find out who lived at their address in 1901

Please follow the link on this page to view information from the 1901 Census.

2001 Census information for Telford and Wrekin area
Please note that many of the facts and figures available on these pages relate to the administrative area covered by Shropshire Council and therefore, exclude Telford and Wrekin. For information on Telford and Wrekin please select the link on this page.

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