2011 Census

The 2011 Census took place on Sunday 27 March 2011, and the results are now being processed and analysed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). 

More information about all the census is available on the Office for National Statistics website. 

Initial results from the 2011 Census are not expected until the summer of 2012.

The 2011 Census; help tomorrow take shape

Every ten years a census takes place to count the population. The census is run by the Office for National Statistics and the results from it, the estimates of the population at national, regional and local level, are used to share out funding and resources for all sorts of services and facilities. Many local facilities have been built because of census results highlighting the need for change.

The census results also track society's changes over time, and are a powerful tool for looking at the area we live in to see if, for example, we need to think about encouraging building of more care homes for the elderly or more starter homes for first time buyers. We can see whether we need more access routes for commuters, or more public transport provision. We can check that we have the right facilities in place for those whose first language might not be English and that we have worked out how many hospital beds are going to be needed in the future. It's all about our population, right here in Oxford and the fabric that our society is built from. The successful location of leisure centres, cinemas, schools, hospitals, retail outlets and even motorway service stations look to the census results.

Family History

More than that, census results are a national treasure, with genealogists - family historians - able to search back through time to discover how their ancestors lived when the confidential answers that people give are released after 100 years. You can find out more about genealogy on the Family History pages of the Oxfordshire County Council website.

Oxford City Council's Role

We have been working closely with the Office for National Statistics to help make sure that the census is a success. Because census results are vitally important to make sure Oxford gets its fair share of funding from government - to help give you the facilities and services you deserve - we all need to be counted.

Statistics from previous censuses

You can read this short document which describes how Oxford has changed since the first Census in 1801.

A view of Oxford through the Censuses, from 1801 to 2001 (13kB PDF)

You can also find out how Oxford or other places in England and Wales have changed over the years by visiting the Neighbourhood Statistics website. Use the neighbourhood summary box to see how your area shapes up.

You can view some historical census returns including ones from Charlotte Bronte, Sir Winston Churchill and Karl Marx on the Census Hall of Fame website.

Office for National Statistics

The Office for National Statistics produces a multitude of other statistics and surveys as well. You can have a look at all the work that is being done to accurately describe all aspects of the society we live in on the Office for National Statistics website.