This release contains Local Characteristics tables on migration, cross-tabulated with one or more topics from the census, at Output Area (OA) level in England and Wales. OAs are the lowest level of geography for which census estimates are produced, so Local Characteristics tables offer the greatest level of detail possible.

This picture of migration at local area level builds on that provided by the Detailed Characteristics migration tables published on 12 July 2013 for Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs) and for 2011 Census Merged Wards.

Due to the level of detail included in Local Characteristics tables, and the lower level of geography, in order to prevent disclosure of individuals’ information some classifications have been collapsed. As far as possible comparability with Detailed Characteristics tables has been retained.

As part of earlier census releases several short stories analysing migration and the migrant population have been produced. These include:

• Country of birth and passports held as key measures of the migrant population in England and Wales.

• Economically active foreign nationals in England and Wales.

• Non-UK born residents in England and Wales.

• International migration in the UK.

More information about OAs and other geographic areas is available from ONS Geography.

All nine Local Characteristics tables are available from the Nomis website. Each table can be accessed directly using the links in the reference table (24 Kb Excel sheet) .

In addition, one new Detailed Characteristics table that gives estimates of Passports held by age of arrival in the UK is also included.

Detailed Characteristics tables from previous releases are also available from the Nomis.

During 2013, and through to the beginning of 2014, ONS will release further Local Characteristics tables for OAs and further statistics for MSOAs and Census Merged Wards. These will continue to provide an even richer and more valuable data source for the many users of the census.

Further information about the census estimates, including details about the methodology used and information about how other population sub-groups are counted and defined, is available in the 2011 Census user guide.

Further information on the fitness for purpose of the statistics in this release can be found in the Quality and Methodology Information paper (157.6 Kb Pdf) .