The census is undertaken by the Office for National Statistics every 10 years and gives us a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales. The most recent census took place in March of 2021.
The census asks every household questions about the people who live there and the type of home they live in. In doing so, it helps to build a detailed snapshot of society. Information from the census helps the government and local authorities to plan and fund local services, such as education, doctors' surgeries and roads.
Key census statistics for Leicester are published on the open data platform to make information accessible to local services, voluntary and community groups, and residents. There is also a dashboard published showcasing various datasets from the census allowing users to view data for Leicester and compare this with national statistics.
Further information about the census and full datasets can be found on the ONS website - https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/aboutcensus/censusproducts
Population by household and communal establishment
This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify the population into residents of households and those residing in communal establishments. The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021.
Definitions: Households - one person or a group of people (not necessarily related) living at the same address who share cooking facilities and share a living room or sitting room, or dining area. Examples include:
- A house or flat
- A caravan or other mobile or temporary structure
- Sheltered accommodation units within an establishment
Communal establishments - A place that provides managed full-time or part-time supervision of residential accommodation. Examples include:
- University halls of residence and boarding schools
- Care homes, hospitals, hospices and maternity units
- Prisons and other secure facilities
New communal establishments do not count as new households. For example, the building of a new block of supervised student flats would not count as an increase in the number of households.
