ONS has released the 2001 Census based classification of Output Areas in the UK. It provides a picture of the character of populations at the most local level - 223,000 units averaging 125 households - summarising patterns of similarity and difference. It follows the earlier release of classifications for local and health authorities, and for wards, based on similar a methodology. All are now available without charge from the National Statistics website, and are designed for uses ranging from people who want to see how their neighbourhood fits into the broader picture to organistions wanting to arrange the provision of public and business services to particular types of area.
Method
Output Areas are grouped into 'clusters' by using multi dimensional relationships within 41 key characteristics drawn from the Census data, rather than by a rules based or preconceived typology. So the classification is structured by the actual Census results. It is presented in a three level hierarchy - super group, groups, and sub groups - although the super group level alone will meet the needs of many users - and essentially shows areas with populations with similar attributes regardless of location, although many groupings show marked spatial patterns.
Results
The results of the classification are presented as maps, summaries, and data files, with supporting methodological information. But as the full information is voluminous, downloads are arranged in sub sets, and a CD is also available.
The Output Area classification complements those available for larger areas, and can for example be used to look at the homogeneity or heterogeneity of populations within larger areas. But it is aimed primarily to help with analysis in more depth, such as categorising events in other datasets. Cluster titles, available for larger areas, are not used at Output Area level, and Output Areas are identified by codes only rather than placenames, but summaries of cluster characteristics are provided.
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