The classification is available at local authority, health area and ward level, and is based on 2003 boundaries. In the future the classification may also be constructed at other geographical levels.
Different statistical techniques were used, as appropriate, for each level of the classification. To find out more about the methods used in each classification please see the methods paper in each section. Information is also available on the variables used in each classification.
The classification is presented in a new graphical display method called “Scalable Vector Graphics” or “SVG”, for which the user will need to download a browser. SVG allows the maps and data to be explored interactively at the local authority and health area level according to the individual user's interest. At the ward level the SVG only contains a map but the full datasets will be available. The SVG content can be accessed from the relevant section.
If you don't want to install the browser on your PC, you can download the classification in PDF files.
The clusters are split into the six main census dimensions: demographic, household composition, housing, socio-economic, employment and industry sector. Graphs characterising these areas are available at three levels of hierarchy: 'supergroups', 'groups' and 'subgroups'. An example of a supergroup is 'Cities and Services'; there are three groups in this supergroup: 'Regional Centres'. 'Centres with Industry' and 'Thriving London Periphery'. These groups are further split into more specific subgroups. For optimum use, the group level will usually be most appropriate.
Supergroups, groups and subgroups each have a set of cluster summaries. These present the main characteristics of each cluster in text and on a 'radar chart'. A radar chart looks like a wheel with 42 spokes. Each spoke of the wheel represents a 'variable' - a characteristic of the population. Points are plotted to indicate values for each variable relative to the mean of the population.
For more information on the hierarchy of groupings and how to use the classification, read our user guide.
An alternative method of using the Classifications for local authorities and health areas is to find the authorities that are most similar to them; these are called Corresponding Areas. The measure of similarity between areas is based solely on the variables used in the main classification. A “corresponding authorities” spreadsheet is available from the local authority section and a “corresponding health areas” spreadsheet is available from the health areas section.
An error has been found in the data used to create the local authority classification. This was caused by the transposition of Camden and City of London in one of the key statistics tables. We have rerun the cluster analysis and found that this error had no effect on the overall results of the classification. The spreadsheets which contained the incorrect population density values have been amended. The new spreadsheets were made available on 15 June 2004. You may need to check any analysis that used the data file downloaded before that date, and that included Camden or the City of London.
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