Where can I find UK census data?

Each part of the UK runs its own census. The ONS publishes results for England and Wales (Census 2021), National Records of Scotland publishes Scotland's Census 2022, and NISRA publishes Northern Ireland's Census 2021.

The ONS "Create a custom dataset" tool lets you build tables down to small areas, and the same data is on Nomis and the ONS API. Census figures are a snapshot of one day; for current numbers use the annual mid-year population estimates instead.

Official sources: ONS Census · Scotland's Census · NISRA Census · Nomis

The latest figure

The newest value is at Office for National Statistics (ONS), with National Records of Scotland and NISRA. More on it: UK population.

When is the next figure out?

Annual mid-year estimates, usually published in the summer or autumn of the following year, 7am; next release date to be announced

Every official release due in the next two weeks is on the release calendar.

Terms used in this answer

• Data suppression
  Withholding or rounding small numbers in published tables so that individuals cannot be identified, or because estimates are too unreliable to publish.
• Census
  A count of every person and household in a country on a set day, usually held every ten years. The UK census is run separately in each nation.
• Lower layer super output area (LSOA)
  A small statistical area in England and Wales, typically home to 1,000 to 3,000 people, used to publish local data such as deprivation and census results.
• Net migration
  Long-term immigration minus long-term emigration over a period, usually a rolling year. It measures the net change in population from migration.
• Forecast and projection
  A forecast is a best estimate of what will happen. A projection shows what would happen if stated assumptions hold, without claiming they will.
• Rate per 100,000
  The number of events divided by the population and multiplied by 100,000, so areas of different sizes can be compared on a like-for-like basis.

Where the figures come from

• UK labour market statistics (ONS, Nomis and the gender pay gap reporting service)
  How to find official UK figures on jobs, vacancies, zero-hours contracts, strikes, public sector jobs, sickness, inactivity and pay gaps, and check claims.
• Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) and Northern Ireland departmental statistics
  A guide to NISRA and Northern Ireland official statistics: population, census, NICEI, jobs, waiting times, PSNI crime and house prices.
• UK population and vital statistics (ONS, National Records of Scotland and NISRA)
  Where to find official UK figures on births, fertility, baby names, marriage, divorce, households, population estimates, projections and the census.

Related questions

• What is the population of the UK?
• Where can I download UK government data?
• How do I make a Freedom of Information request?

This answer says where the official figures are published and how they are defined. It gives no verdict on any claim. To report an error, send a correction request. More questions about finding and checking official statistics: all Finding and checking official statistics questions.