Number of cars or vans variable: Census 2021

Definition of number of cars or vans, categories, and changes since the 2011 Census for use with research and analysis using Census 2021 data.

Last updated:
28 November 2023

Mnemonic: number_of_cars
Applicability: Household
Type: Standard variable

Definition

The number of cars or vans owned or available for use by household members.

Vehicles included:

  • pick-ups, camper vans and motor homes
  • vehicles that are temporarily not working
  • vehicles that have failed their MOT
  • vehicles owned or used by a lodger
  • company cars or vans if they're available for private use

Vehicles not included:

  • motorbikes, trikes, quad bikes or mobility scooters
  • vehicles that have a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)
  • vehicles owned or used only by a visitor
  • vehicles that are kept at another address or not easily accessed

The number of cars or vans in an area relates only to households. Cars or vans used by communal establishment residents are not counted. Households with 10 to 20 cars or vans are counted as having only 10. Households with more than 20 cars or vans were treated as invalid and a value imputed.

Classification

Total number of categories: 5

Code Name
0 No cars or vans in household
1 1 car or van in household
2 2 cars or vans in household
3 3 or more cars or vans in household
-8 Does not apply*

*Households with no usual residents.

View all number of cars or vans classifications.

Question asked

In total, how many cars or vans are owned, or available for use, by members of this household?

  • None
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5 or more, write in number

In Census 2021 "5 or more" was added as an extra option that people could choose from.

Background

Read about how we developed and tested the questions for Census 2021.

Why we ask the question

The answer helps communities by allowing local and central government to make decisions about transport planning. They use this information to predict traffic volumes and plan where new roads or other transport options may be needed.

This information helps to provide accessible services and transport, particularly in rural areas.

Authorities can match information about people without access to a car with information about disabilities. This shows which areas may need more funding for public transport.

The census first asked this question in 1971.

Comparability with the 2011 Census

Highly comparable

What does highly comparable mean?

A variable that is highly comparable means that it can be directly compared with the variable from the 2011 Census. The questions and options that people could choose from may be slightly different, for example the order of the options may be swapped around, but the data collected is the same.

England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland comparisons

Highly comparable

What does highly comparable mean?

A variable that is highly comparable means that it can be directly compared with the variable from Scotland and Northern Ireland. The questions and options that people could choose from may be slightly different, for example the order of the options may be swapped around, but the data collected is the same.

Find out more about variables produced for Census 2021 in Northern Ireland and Census 2022 in Scotland.

Census 2021 data that uses this variable

We use variables from Census 2021 data to show findings in different ways.

You can:

Alternatively, you can also create a custom dataset.

Other datasets that use this variable