Skip to content
London Datastore Logo
London Datastore

About the Census

The census has been taken every ten years since 1801 (except 1941). It gives us the most comprehensive data on London’s population and is used to inform policy and spending decisions, identify community needs and shape local priorities. The latest England and Wales Census was taken in March 2021. The next will be in 2031.

2031 Census

On 15 July 2025 the Government commissioned the Office for National Statistics to conduct a mandatory, questionnaire-based, whole-population census of England and Wales in 2031. Public consultation on census topics will start later in 2025 and an early roadmap of activities over the coming eight years has been released by ONS.

2021 Census

Census day 2021 was Sunday 21 March. 2021 was a ‘digital-first’ census with most people completing it online. A paper questionnaire was also available for anyone who requested it.

First population counts from the Census were published on 28 June 2022 with detailed results released from late 2022 through to the end of 2023. Reports, some of which included additional data, continued into 2024. I’ve put a timetable of releases on this site.

Census Information Scheme reports

Reports were published on our census reports page after ONS released data. We also produced a report on the first population figures and a blog post explaining how census data relates to other population estimates.

Census Information Scheme 2021

The Census Information Scheme for the 2021 Census came into effect on 1 October 2021. The Scheme provides London-specific analysis of census statistics for the 33 London local authorities, the GLA and its Functional Bodies. Our offer includes:

  • Training and advice about the census and related data sources to both census specialist and wider non-specialist audiences
  • Analysis and reporting of census data including commissioning bespoke outputs and analyses
  • Access to current and previous census data including non-public protected datasets and historic census data for London
  • A voice for London in discussions about the future of census-like statistics