Overview

Microdata are small samples of individual records from a single census and from which we have removed any identifying information. They contain a range of individual and household characteristics which means that you can use them to carry out analysis not possible from standard census products. Microdata samples range in size from 10% to 1% of households or individuals.

Protecting confidentiality

We protect the confidentiality of individuals and households in our microdata samples by:

  • restricting access to them

  • removing information that might identify a person, such as names, addresses and date of birth

  • applying statistical disclosure control (SDC) methods to the microdata samples, or making changes to data to protect identity, for example, record swapping, collapsing variables and restricting detail

Read more about SDC in Protecting personal data in Census 2021.

Census 2021 microdata samples for England and Wales

There are three types of Census 2021 microdata samples for England and Wales. They are:

  • public microdata teaching sample

  • safeguarded microdata samples

  • secure microdata samples

Public microdata teaching sample

Access

Our public microdata teaching sample is available to download from our website with minimal conditions applied to their use as stated within the Open Government Licence (OGL).

About

Our public microdata teaching sample consists of a random sample of 1% of person records from Census 2021 for England and Wales. It includes records for 604,351 persons. The sample is useful for people teaching or learning about statistics and social sciences.

The lowest level of geography is Wales and regions within England. It contains 19 variables and a low level of detail.

Release date

Our public microdata sample was released on 7 September 2023.

Safeguarded microdata samples

Access

Our safeguarded microdata samples are only available to data analysts through the UK Data Service in line with previous censuses. Data analysts must register with the UK Data Service and agree to the terms and conditions of the UK Data Service End User Licence.

About

Safeguarded individual microdata sample at region level

This consists of a random sample of 5% of person records from Census 2021; it includes records for 3,021,455 persons. The lowest level of geography is Wales and regions within England. It contains 89 variables and a medium level of detail.

Safeguarded individual microdata sample at grouped local authority level

This consists of a random sample of 5% of person records from Census 2021; it includes records for 3,021,611 persons. The lowest level of geography is grouped local authority. This means groups of local authorities, or single local authorities where the population reaches at least 120,000 persons. It contains 87 variables and a low level of detail.

Safeguarded household microdata sample

Consists of a random sample of 1% of households from Census 2021 and contains records for all individuals within these sampled households; it includes records for 263,729 households and 606,210 persons. This sample allows linkage between individuals in the same household.  The lowest level of geography is Wales and regions within England. It contains 56 variables and a low level of detail. This is a new product following user feedback from 2011 Census.

Release date

Our safeguarded microdata samples was released on 18 October 2023.

Secure microdata samples

Access

Our secure microdata samples are only available to accredited researchers through the Integrated Data Service. Read how to become an accredited researcher.

About

Secure individual microdata sample

This consists of a random sample of 10% of person records from Census 2021; it includes records for 6,204,787 persons and empty household spaces. The lowest level of geography is local authority. It contains 189 variables and a high level of detail.

Secure household microdata sample

This consists of a random sample of 10% of households from Census 2021 and contains records for all individuals within these sampled households; it includes 2,641,775 households and 6,097,307 persons and empty household spaces. This sample allows linkage between individuals in the same family or household. The lowest level of geography is local authority. It contains 194 variables and a high level of detail.

Release date

The secure microdata samples will be available to access in early 2024.

Using the microdata samples

To help you use, analyse, and interpret Census 2021 microdata samples read our User guide to Census 2021 microdata samples, England and Wales. The guide also gives more information about the differences between accessing and using secure, safeguarded and public microdata samples.

The comparability of our microdata samples with Census 2021 is available in our Comparing microdata samples with Census 2021 dataset. This dataset provides univariate and multivariate comparisons to demonstrate how representative the samples are compared with Census 2021 as a whole.

You can find all the variables contained in our microdata samples and the output categories for these variables in our Microdata sample codes: Census 2021 dataset. You can filter the file to show the information for each sample separately.

Census microdata for major data linkage projects

As census microdata samples do not contain information that can identify individuals, researchers will not be able to use these for data linkage purposes.

Where accredited researchers can prove the samples do not provide sufficient utility for major data linkage projects or projects which show major public policy impact, 100% Census 2021 microdata exist within the Integrated Data Service (IDS). This dataset includes personal identifiers and is available for data linkage across other administrative and survey data. Access and usage of these data are very strictly controlled since they contain identifiable information.

Researchers can make a request for datasets to be linked by the ONS if they can show that there is a wider research benefit beyond their individual project. If a request is agreed, the dataset is linked internally and then the de-identified version would be transferred to the IDS so that all accredited researchers are able to make a project application to use it. Researchers wanting to make a request for a linked dataset should email adrcuration@ons.gov.uk.

UK census microdata

Our Census 2021 microdata samples cover England and Wales. To read about similar products for Northern Ireland and Scotland, visit the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency and National Records of Scotland.

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland the census was conducted in March 2021. In Scotland, the decision was made to move the census to March 2022 because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Take this difference into account when performing any UK-wide analyses using census microdata.

Working with others

A range of internal and external stakeholders helped us to design, create and disseminate Census 2021 microdata samples so that we could best meet our users’ needs.

Internal members of our working group included topic experts on:

  • migration

  • travel to work

  • demography and census transformation

  • population estimates

  • statistical disclosure control

External members of our working group included:

  • National Records of Scotland

  • Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency

  • Welsh Government

  • UK Data Service

  • local authorities

  • academia

  • market researchers

  • commercial researchers

  • community group

More information

If you have any questions about Census 2021 microdata samples, please email census.customerservices@ons.gov.uk.