Understanding the Census Data in Your Report

Demographic figures such as median age and home ownership give a snapshot of who lives in an area, based on official national census data rather than an ongoing survey.

Where the figures come from

These figures are drawn from the national census, carried out periodically by each country's statistical agency. Because a census aims to count every household, it is generally the most reliable and complete source of this kind of demographic detail available, but it is also only as current as the most recent census carried out.

Median age

The median age is the age at which exactly half the local population is younger and half is older. It is a more stable measure than an average age, since it is not skewed by a small number of very young or very old residents, and it gives a useful general sense of whether an area skews towards young professionals, families, or retirees.

Home ownership

The home ownership figure shows the share of households that own their home outright or with a mortgage, as distinct from those renting privately, renting from a social landlord, or in other arrangements. This is reported at the level of small, standard statistical areas, which may combine several streets, so the figure describes the immediate neighbourhood rather than any single building.

How current the figures are

National censuses are typically carried out roughly once a decade, with results published a year or two afterwards. This means demographic figures can be several years old by the time they are read, and an area that has seen significant new housing development or a shift in its population since the last census may look different in practice than the published figures suggest.

Questions worth asking

• How recently was the underlying census carried out?
• Has there been significant new building or redevelopment in the area since then?
• Does the figure reflect a small statistical area that might combine quite different streets?