The Census Data System is a complete resource package for understanding the administration, processing, correction, dissemination and use of Census data. Census data have unique value in demographic and social research, in research into commercial markets and in informing key decisions in public policy formulation. This book gives its readers a head start in understanding and exploiting the uniquely valuable information to be published from the 2001 UK Census.

Authored by leading Census researchers, the book is split into six sections that address issues in geography and lookup tables, boundary data and visualization, area statistics, microdata, interaction data and planning for 2001 Census outputs. This book also provides a comprehensive coverage of value-added products of the 1991 Census and a preview of the expanded and improved data products from the 2001 Census.

A unique feature of The Census Data System is the provision of a CD-ROM that includes data and software to support research, including a full set of 1971-81-91 UK Census data reaggregated to a consistent 1981 ward geography. In addition, the CD-ROM provides a chapter-by-chapter guide to the many official and academic web resources that relate to Census-derived products. The book's dedicated website mirrors the CD-ROM contents and will provide updated links to the many resources identified.

The Census Data System is an essential resource package for students and researchers who work with population data, and for public and private sector professionals involved with geodemographics in the areas of retailing, transport and property.