Census history
The 2001 Census was the twentieth full national census of population. It marked 200 years since the first census in modern times was carried out in Great Britain.
This section provides an initial introduction to the census, covering its origins in the ancient world and describing the history of its development to the present day. It is adapted from material published as part of the Census bicentenary.
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Census-taking in the ancient world
Brief history of how censuses were conducted in ancient times
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Domesday and beyond
A look at census-conducting between the 11th and 18th centuries
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The modern census
From the 18th century to now. How the census we know was formed.
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200 years of the census
2001 celebrated 200 years of the census. Visit these pages to find out more.
