Amalgamation of geographic areas

Products released for the 2001 Census contain sets of data produced for a range of different geographic areas. The different sets of data that are produced for specific areas are subject to minimum resident population and household threshold values in those areas. Areas with counts which fall below these threshold values may either have some less detailed summary statistics produced, or be amalgamated with other areas to allow the release of more detailed sets of results for the combined area.

Releases for wards

Wards below Standard Table thresholds but not below Census Area Statistics (CAS) thresholds

Standard tables are produced for wards above the Standard Table threshold (1,000 people and 400 households). Wards which are below this threshold, but not below the CAS thresholds (100 people and 40 households) are amalgamated with another ward within the same Local Authority. Standard Tables are then produced for the combined amalgamated area.

CAS and Key Statistics tables are produced for all wards that are above the CAS thresholds, including those below the Standard Table threshold. A list of wards amalgamated for the release of Standard Tables is available as an Excel file.

Wards below CAS thresholds

CAS and Key Statistics tables are produced for all wards that are above the CAS thresholds. The small number of wards which are below this threshold are amalgamated with another ward within the same Local Authority. CAS and Key Statistics tables are then produced for the combined amalgamated area.

All Output Areas (OAs) are above the CAS threshold. This means that CAS and Key Statistics have been released for the OAs containing wards that were amalgamated. A list of wards amalgamated for the release of CAS and Key Statistics tables is available as an Excel file.

Releases for parishes and communities (in Wales)

Parishes and communities below CAS thresholds

Standard Tables are not produced for parishes. CAS and Key Statistics tables are produced for all parishes and communities that are above the CAS thresholds. Parishes below this threshold are amalgamated with either another parish, or with other parishes, or with part of another parish, or with a non-parished area if no parish is contiguous within the Local Authority. Two or more sub threshold parishes are amalgamated where possible. CAS and Key Statistics tables are then produced for the combined amalgamated area. All Output Areas (OAs) are above the CAS threshold. This means that CAS and Key Statistics have been released for the OAs containing parishes that were amalgamated. A list of parishes amalgamated for the release of CAS and Key Statistics tables is available as an Excel file.

Parishes and communities below CAS thresholds but not below profile thresholds

Simple statistical profiles are produced for parishes below the CAS thresholds but not below profile thresholds (50 people and 20 households). This means that there are a small number of small parishes, comprising the remaining parts of Output Areas, for which profiles are not produced. For these areas, simple counts of people, males, females and households (known as 'headcounts' in 2001 Census products) have been produced. These are also available for all other parishes and communities.

Releases for postal sectors

Standard Tables and CAS tables are not produced for postal sectors. Key Statistics tables and postcode profiles are produced for postal areas that are above the CAS thresholds. There are a small number of postal sectors that are below this threshold. There is no amalgamation of these areas in 2001 Census results because there was no definitive information about contiguity of sectors. For these sectors, simple counts of people, males, females and households (known as 'headcounts' in 2001 Census products) have been produced. These are also available for all other postal areas.