Welcome to the Population Census for Britain guide. Use this guide as a starting point to finding relevant information for your research. Click on the tabs at the top of this guide to see all its content. If you don't find the information you need, send me an email or give me a call.

The first official census of the British population was held in 1801. The 1801-1831 censuses were simple counts of the population. Since 1841 there have been decennial* population counts based upon surveys conducted at a household level.

*There was no census in 1941; in 1966 there was a special interim census.

There are 3 types of census data:

• Published Statistics & Reports
• Small Area Statistics
• Enumerators' Returns

Resources relating to each type of data are described via the tabs at the top of this page.