The Office for National Statistics (ONS) carried out the latest national census on 27 March 2011. The Census provides a detailed snapshot of who we are, how we live and what we do. The results were released by the ONS in several phases between July 2012 and October 2013.
More key statistics and information on specific areas can be accessed from the left hand menu.
NOTE: There is more information on populations and households in the People and Neighbourhoods section.
Other pages in this section
For Census data on all local authorities in England and Wales, please go to www.ons.gov.uk/census
Looking ahead to 2021 and beyond, the ONS has established a Census Transformation Programme. Its aim is to make the best use of all available data in England and Wales to enhance the provision of population statistics. It will:-
Updates on progress are published from time to time on the Census Transformation Programme website.
For example, the ONS have carried out extensive research into the use of administrative data (such as those held by the DWP, NHS Patient Registers and School Census) to generate unofficial estimates of local population sizes.
In November 2016, this methodology provided retrospective estimates for Somerset which are higher than the 2011 Census and 2015 mid-year estimates. More work is being done to understand the differences. However, there is evidence that higher estimates are often found in areas, such as Somerset, with relatively high numbers of seasonal workers, residential schools and people contacting administrative services (eg health and social care).
For more details, see the ONS Administrative Data Census Research Outputs webpage.
We have had a census every ten years since 1801, except when the country was at war in 1941. It is the only survey which provides a detailed picture of the entire population, and is unique because it covers everyone at the same time and asks the same core questions everywhere. This makes it easy to compare different parts of the country. The latest census was held on Sunday 27 March 2011.
Like all local authorities in England and Wales, Somerset relies on census population statistics to underpin planning decisions, secure the government funding we need for public services and make sure that resources are targeted where they are needed most. Numbers of school places and development of traffic schemes are also heavily influenced by the Census. Local community groups and projects across Somerset often use information from the Census to support bids for funding from organisations, resulting in additional investment into local communities.
The School Census is a survey of schools and pupils conducted by the Department for Education. While the national Census is conducted every ten years, schools provide updated School Census data every academic year, providing an ongoing profile of Somerset’s younger population.
While the national 2011 Census estimates a decrease in the number of Under 15s in Somerset since 2001, it is important to note that this is not necessarily indicative of a longer-term trend. The latest Somerset School Population Forecast identifies, for example, that primary school rolls are increasing. The forecasts show a particular demand for additional primary school places in Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil over the next few years.
The proportion of Somerset households with no central heating decreased from 9.1% in 2001 to 3.5% in 2011. - 2011 Census