The UK censuses took place on 27 March 2011. They were run by the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (NISRA), National Records of Scotland (NRS), and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for both England and Wales. The UK comprises the countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Statistics from the UK censuses help paint a picture of the nation and how we live. They provide a detailed snapshot of the population and its characteristics and underpin funding allocation to provide public services. This is the home for all UK census data.

The 2011 Census Microdata Individual Safeguarded Sample (Regional): Scotland data collection forms part of the statistical outputs from the 2011 Scotland Census. A safeguarded microdata sample of individuals has been identified as a key Census user requirement, and was highlighted as part of a report specifying microdata products from the 2011 Census written by an expert user, Dr. Jo Wathan from the University of Manchester.

The purpose of a safeguarded sample of individuals is to be able to disseminate a detailed microdata file without onerous licensing conditions, by reducing the overall amount of detail compared to the secure samples. Whilst supplying sufficient detail on core variables to fulfil the intended aim of the microdata products, the safeguarded sample is a valuable multi-purpose research file that will be used on a wide range of projects. (For Censuses prior to 2011, these data may have been referred to as 'Samples of Anonymised Records', or SARSs.)

This safeguarded sample is of 5% of the total population at Region level (Scotland), and contain a similar level of detail to the equivalent End User Licence Census 2001 Microdata samples. A similar Scotland dataset at Local Authority level is held under SN 7835. These samples have a low risk of disclosure; but not nil. Registered UK Data Service Census users can download the data to their laptops after agreeing terms and conditions that include constraints on data management under remote storage conditions.

Further information can be found on the Scotland's Census Supporting Information webpage.

Corresponding Regional and Local Authority level data for England and Wales are held under SNs 7605 and 7682, and for Northern Ireland under SNs 7769 and 7770.

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The UK censuses took place on 27 March 2011. They were run by the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (NISRA), National Records of Scotland (NRS), and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for both England and Wales. The UK comprises the countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Statistics from the UK censuses help paint a picture of the nation and how we live. They provide a detailed snapshot of the population and its characteristics and underpin funding allocation to provide public services. This is the home for all UK census data.

The 2011 Census Microdata Individual Safeguarded Sample (Regional): England and Wales data collection forms part of the statistical outputs from the 2011 UK Census. A safeguarded microdata sample of individuals has been identified as a key Census user requirement, and was highlighted as part of a report specifying microdata products from the 2011 Census written by an expert user, Dr. Jo Wathan from the University of Manchester.

The purpose of a safeguarded sample of individuals is to be able to disseminate a detailed microdata file without onerous licensing conditions, by reducing the overall amount of detail compared to the secure samples. Whilst supplying sufficient detail on core variables to fulfil the intended aim of the microdata products, the safeguarded sample is a valuable multi-purpose research file that will be used on a wide range of projects. (For Censuses prior to 2011, these data may have been referred to as 'Samples of Anonymised Records', or SARSs.)

In total, five microdata samples are proposed from the 2011 Census:

• one public, a Teaching File of individuals (see SN 7613);
• two safeguarded, one file of individuals at regional level (this study, SN 7605) and one at local authority level (see SN 7682);
• and two secure, one file of households and one of individuals

This safeguarded sample is of 5% of the total population at Region level, and contain a similar level of detail to the equivalent End User Licence Census 2001 Microdata samples. These samples have a low risk of disclosure; but not nil. Registered UK Data Service Census users can download the data to their laptops after agreeing terms and conditions that include constraints on data management under remote storage conditions.

Further information can be found on the Office for National Statistics Census microdata webpage.

Corresponding Regional and Local Authority level data for Northern Ireland are held under SNs 7769 and 7770, and for Scotland under SNs 7834 and 7835.

Latest edition information

For the second edition (April 2025), a new version of the data file was deposited. A formatting issue with the NSSEC variable had been identified which resulted in some codes for that variable being grouped together. This has now been corrected.

Main Topics:


The variables cover: Usual address one year ago; Age of individual; Age of household; reference person; Distance travelled to work; Alternative Household Composition; Provision of unpaid care; Number of cars and vans; Central heating; Establishment caters for specific group (physical disability; learning disability; mental illness; intermediate care; substance misuse; end of life care; respite care; chronic illness care; acute illness care; older people; school children; university and/or college students; armed forces personnel; prisoners/offenders; asylum seekers; paying guests; homeless people; nurses/doctors; staff; seasonal/temporary workers; other); Country of birth; Country of birth of household reference person; Whether concealed family; Country of residence; Education selected characteristics, household indicator; Employment selected characteristics, household indicator; Health and disability selected characteristics, household indicator; Housing selected characteristics, household indicator; Deprivation indicators of a household; Long-term health problems; Family dependent children; Economically active; Employment type; Nature of establishment; Ethnic group of household reference person; Ethnic group; Family status; General health; Household language; Level of highest qualifications; Hours worked per week; Number of people in household who provide care; Other National identity (not UK and Irish); Number of individuals in household with long-standing illness/disability; Industry of business; Intention to stay in the UK; International Standard Classification of Occupations – 2 digit codes; Type of landlord; English proficiency; Living arrangements; Last year worked; Main language; Marital Status; Multiple ethnic identifier; Migration indicator; Wholly moving household indicator; Household multiple religion indicator; Distance moved from address one year ago; Region of Origin; British national...

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The UK censuses took place on 27 March 2011. They were run by the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (NISRA), National Records of Scotland (NRS), and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for both England and Wales. The UK comprises the countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Statistics from the UK censuses help paint a picture of the nation and how we live. They provide a detailed snapshot of the population and its characteristics and underpin funding allocation to provide public services. This is the home for all UK census data.

The 2011 Census Microdata Individual Safeguarded Sample (Local Authority): England and Wales data collection forms part of the statistical outputs from the 2011 UK Census. A safeguarded microdata sample of individuals has been identified as a key Census user requirement, and was highlighted as part of a report specifying microdata products from the 2011 Census written by an expert user, Dr. Jo Wathan from the University of Manchester.

The purpose of a safeguarded sample of individuals is to be able to disseminate a detailed microdata file without onerous licensing conditions, by reducing the overall amount of detail compared to the secure samples. Whilst supplying sufficient detail on core variables to fulfil the intended aim of the microdata products, the safeguarded sample is a valuable multi-purpose research file that will be used on a wide range of projects. (For Censuses prior to 2011, these data may have been referred to as 'Samples of Anonymised Records', or SARSs.)

In total, five microdata samples are proposed from the 2011 Census:

• one public, a Teaching File of individuals (see SN 7613);
• two safeguarded, one file of individuals at regional level (see SN 7605) and one at local authority level (this study, SN 7682);
• and two secure, one file of households and one of individuals

This safeguarded sample is of 5% of the total population at Local Authority level, and contains a similar level of detail to the equivalent End User Licence Census 2001 Microdata samples. These samples have a low risk of disclosure; but not nil. Registered UK Data Service Census users can download the data to their laptops after agreeing terms and conditions that include constraints on data management under remote storage conditions.

Further information can be found on the Office for National Statistics Census microdata webpage.

Corresponding Regional and Local Authority level data for Northern Ireland are held under SNs 7769 and 7770, and for Scotland under SNs 7834 and 7835.


Main Topics:


The variables cover: Usual address one year ago; Age of individual; Age of household; reference person; Distance travelled to work; Alternative Household Composition; Provision of unpaid care; Number of cars and vans; Central heating; Establishment caters for specific group (physical disability; learning disability; mental illness; intermediate care; substance misuse; end of life care; respite care; chronic illness care; acute illness care; older people; school children; university and/or college students; armed forces personnel; prisoners/offenders; asylum seekers; paying guests; homeless people; nurses/doctors; staff; seasonal/temporary workers; other); Country of birth; Country of birth of household reference person; Whether concealed family; Country of residence; Education selected characteristics, household indicator; Employment selected characteristics, household indicator; Health and disability selected characteristics, household indicator; Housing selected characteristics, household indicator; Deprivation indicators of a household; Long-term health problems; Family dependent children; Economically active; Employment type; Nature of establishment; Ethnic group of household reference person; Ethnic group; Family status; General health; Household language; Level of highest qualifications; Hours worked per week; Number of people in household who provide care; Other National identity (not UK and Irish); Number of individuals in household with long-standing illness/disability; Industry of business; Intention to stay in the UK; International Standard Classification of Occupations – 2 digit codes; Local Authority/LGD of enumeration address; Type of landlord; English proficiency; Living arrangements; Last year worked; Main language; Marital Status; Multiple ethnic identifier; Migration indicator; Wholly moving household indicator; Household multiple religion indicator; Distance moved from address one year ago; Region of Origin; British national identity; English national identity; Irish national identity; Northern Irish national identity; Other national identity; Scottish national identity; Welsh national identity; National Statistics Socio-Economic Classification; Household...

The UK censuses took place on 27 March 2011. They were run by the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (NISRA), National Records of Scotland (NRS), and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for both England and Wales. The UK comprises the countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Statistics from the UK censuses help paint a picture of the nation and how we live. They provide a detailed snapshot of the population and its characteristics and underpin funding allocation to provide public services. This is the home for all UK census data.

The 2011 Census Microdata Individual Safeguarded Sample (Regional): Northern Ireland data collection forms part of the statistical outputs from the 2011 Northern Ireland Census. A safeguarded microdata sample of individuals has been identified as a key Census user requirement, and was highlighted as part of a report specifying microdata products from the 2011 Census written by an expert user, Dr. Jo Wathan from the University of Manchester.

The purpose of a safeguarded sample of individuals is to be able to disseminate a detailed microdata file without onerous licensing conditions, by reducing the overall amount of detail compared to the secure samples. Whilst supplying sufficient detail on core variables to fulfil the intended aim of the microdata products, the safeguarded sample is a valuable multi-purpose research file that will be used on a wide range of projects. (For Censuses prior to 2011, these data may have been referred to as 'Samples of Anonymised Records', or SARSs.)

This safeguarded sample is of 5% of the total population at Region level (Northern Ireland), and contain a similar level of detail to the equivalent End User Licence Census 2001 Microdata samples. A similar Northern Ireland dataset at Local Authority level is held under SN 7770. These samples have a low risk of disclosure; but not nil. Registered UK Data Service Census users can download the data to their laptops after agreeing terms and conditions that include constraints on data management under remote storage conditions.

Further information can be found on the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) Census microdata webpage.

Corresponding Regional and Local Authority level data for England and Wales are held under SNs 7605 and 7682, and for Scotland under SNs 7834 and 7835.

The UK censuses took place on 27 March 2011. They were run by the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (NISRA), National Records of Scotland (NRS), and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for both England and Wales. The UK comprises the countries of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Statistics from the UK censuses help paint a picture of the nation and how we live. They provide a detailed snapshot of the population and its characteristics and underpin funding allocation to provide public services. This is the home for all UK census data.

The 2011 Census Microdata Individual Safeguarded Sample (Local Authority): Northern Ireland data collection forms part of the statistical outputs from the 2011 Northern Ireland Census. A safeguarded microdata sample of individuals has been identified as a key Census user requirement, and was highlighted as part of a report specifying microdata products from the 2011 Census written by an expert user, Dr. Jo Wathan from the University of Manchester.

The purpose of a safeguarded sample of individuals is to be able to disseminate a detailed microdata file without onerous licensing conditions, by reducing the overall amount of detail compared to the secure samples. Whilst supplying sufficient detail on core variables to fulfil the intended aim of the microdata products, the safeguarded sample is a valuable multi-purpose research file that will be used on a wide range of projects. (For Censuses prior to 2011, these data may have been referred to as 'Samples of Anonymised Records', or SARSs.)

This safeguarded sample is of 5% of the total population at Local Authority level (Northern Ireland), and contain a similar level of detail to the equivalent End User Licence Census 2001 Microdata samples. A similar Northern Ireland dataset at Regional level is held under SN 7769. These samples have a low risk of disclosure; but not nil. Registered UK Data Service Census users can download the data to their laptops after agreeing terms and conditions that include constraints on data management under remote storage conditions.

Further information can be found on the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) Census microdata webpage.

Corresponding Regional and Local Authority level data for England and Wales are held under SNs 7605 and 7682, and for Scotland under SNs 7834 and 7835.