Census 2011

The latest Census took place on Sunday, 27 March 2011. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) posted questionnaires to around 25 million households in England and Wales.

Census logo

The first release of data from the 2011 Census was published by the Office for National Statistics on the 16 July 2012 and showed that Tower Hamlets had:

  • a resident population of 254,100 on Census day

  • the largest increase in population in the country since 2001

  • 101,300 households, an increase of 29 per cent since 2001 and

  • an average household size of 2.47 persons.

The Corporate Research Unit have prepared briefing notes analysing the data:

This briefing provides a Census based profile of the borough’s third largest ethnic group population: the ‘White Other’ population. The White Other population has more than doubled in size between Censuses and now accounts for one in eight Tower Hamlets residents. 

This report presents Census statistics about housing tenure in Tower Hamlets. The report explores changes over the last ten years and highlights the significant increase in the proportion of privately rented households (which now account for 33 per cent of households, up from 17 per cent in 2001).

This factsheet presents 2011 Census statistics about unemployment and ethnicity in Tower Hamlets. The analysis shows that residents from Black and Minority Ethnic groups had an average unemployment rate of 19 per cent, more than double the rate for White Groups (7 per cent). The report explores differences between individual ethnic groups.

The 2011 Census identified 19,356 residents in the borough who provide unpaid care. This briefing provides analysis of their characteristics, including age, gender, ethnicity and health.

If you would like to know more about 2011 Census data and the type of information available or have specific data requirements please contact us.

You can access 2011 Census data via NOMIS.

The GLA has published extensive analysis of 2011 Census data as part of the London Census Information Scheme for the 33 London boroughs, the GLA and its Functional Bodies, which can be found on the London Datastore.

Census Transformation Programme

The next Census will take place in 2021. ONS have already began to consult on and publish information about its proposals under the Census Transformation Programme.