The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has recently released multivariate data from the 2021 Census, and we have started to add key indicators to Community Insight. Multivariate data is important because it allows us to combine indicators to gain a deeper understanding of our communities. With a vast number of possible combinations, we would like to know what you are most interested in seeing in the tool.

The ONS has released the data in the form of an online build a custom dataset tool. This means you can choose which indicators you would like to combine, and which geographic level you’d like to see the data for.

However, this should be used with caution as there are gaps in the data for some indicator combinations at small area level. This may be due to data suppression, to avoid the risk of identifying individuals from the data. For instance, multivariate indicators related to sexuality and gender identity are not available below LA level.

Multivariate data has relatively low numbers, when compared to indicators with a single variant. This can lead to inaccuracies when apportioning and aggregating data for use with custom areas. Therefore, to make sure that the data we’re using is useful, we will only add multivariate indicators to Local Insight when they are available nationally at Output Area (OA) level. This allows for accurate aggregation for larger custom areas.

There is some multivariate data available at OA level for the following themes:

• Economic activity status
• Overcrowded housing
• General health
• Highest level of qualification
• Occupation
• Tenure
• Unpaid care

For each of these themes, we will provide data for a range of groups including ethnicity, age, gender, household composition, disability and carers. For example, highest level of qualification by different age groups. We will also provide data for where those themes intersect with each other. For example, overcrowded housing by general health. As above, this is subject to the data being available at OA level.

Our research team is currently prioritising key combinations. We want to know which themes you are most interested in seeing so that we can add them to the tool more quickly. Please let us know which themes are most important to you via this form.

Some Multivariate census data is now live in Community Insight. You can start using and analysing this data for all your stock groups.

For guidance on using Census 2021 data in Community Insight please see “How to explore Census 2021 data in Community Insight”.

Summary of published data

We have added nine multivariate Census 2021 indicators to Community Insight. Indicators for the following datasets can now be seen live in Community Insight:

• Children providing unpaid care
• Employment rate by ethnicity (5 indicators)
• People aged over 65 with not good health
• People travelling more than 10km to work by public transport and by driving (2 indicators)

Click here to download a list of all updated Census indicators.

Reports

We have updated Children Providing Unpaid Care in the Community Insight reports (see Vulnerable Groups: page 23). You will need to update your reports in order to see Census 2021 data here.

The small area Health, disability, and unpaid care census data is now live in Community Insight. You can start using and analysing this data for all your stock group areas. 

For guidance on using Census 2021 data in Community Insight please see “How to explore Census 2021 data in Community Insight”.

Summary of published data

Download the full list of indicators now available in Community Insight.

We have added 17 indicators to Community Insight. This release includes small area data from the Health, disability, and unpaid care topic summary. Indicators for the following datasets can now be seen live in Community Insight:

• Disability (3 indicators) 
• General health (5 indicators) 
• Number of disabled people in the household (3 indicators) 
• Provision of unpaid care (6 indicators) 

Reports

We have updated 3 of the indicators in the Community Insight report (see Health and wellbeing: page 38). You will need to update your reports in order to see Census 2021 data here.

The small area population by 5 year age bands census data is now live in Community Insight. You can start using and analysing this data for all your stock group areas. 

For guidance on using Census 2021 data in Community Insight please see “How to explore Census 2021 data in Community Insight”.

Summary of published data

Download the full list of indicators now available in Community Insight.

We have added 19 indicators to Community Insight. Starting with people aged 0-4 and going up in 5 year bands until people aged 85 and over.

Please note, there are various indicators for population in Community Insight, due to figures being published as part of Mid-Year estimates and figures published as part of Census 2021 data release.

All indicators for small-area census population data are named in the following format:

• People aged X-Y (Census 2021)

We have also created a derived indicator that shows people aged 0-14 (Census 2021).

Single age band data and bespoke age ranges

The single age band data has not yet been published at small area level. Therefore, we are unable to create derived bespoke age bands at this stage. 

If you are interested in seeing data for a particular age band please let us know on support@ocsi.co.uk and when possible, we will add those indicators into Community Insight.

Reports

We have not added any of the 5 year age band population indicators to the Community Insight reports. We will review the reports once the single age band data is published.

The small area sexual orientation and gender identity census data is now live in Community Insight. You can start using and analysing this data for all your stock group areas.. 

For guidance on using Census 2021 data in Community Insight please see “How to explore Census 2021 data in Community Insight”.

Summary of published data

Download the full list of indicators now available in Community Insight. 

We have added 26 indicators to Community Insight. This release includes small area data from the sexual orientation and gender identity topic summary. Indicators for the following datasets can now be seen live in Community Insight: 

• Sexual orientation (13 indicators)
• Gender identity (11 indicators)
• Non respondents to these questions (2 indicators)

More information about these datasets 

The question about sexual orientation and gender identity in the 2021 census was voluntary. 

In total, 92.5% of the population aged 16 years and over answered the question on sexual orientation and 94.0% of the population aged 16 years and over answered the question on gender identity. Read more about this on the ONS website. 

ONS percentages are calculated using the overall population rather than the population who responded to the sexual orientation and gender identity question. 

Alongside adding the official ONS figures to Community Insight, we have also included additional indicators that use only people who responded to the sexual orientation and gender identity question as the denominator. These indicators are displayed as [sexuality] (as a % of all who responded to the sexual orientation questions) (Census 2021).

Below is an example how these distinct indicators display in Community Insight

• Bisexual (as a % of all who responded to the sexual orientation questions)  (Census 2021)
• Bisexual (as a % of all aged 16+) (Census 2021)

These supplementary indicators that use respondents only as the denominator provide additional value as the response rates vary considerably across local areas. There are a multitude of possible driving factors behind non-response rates, which are not necessarily related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Non respondents

We have also added 2 indicators that show the non response rates for this topic. These two indicators are called:

• Non respondents to the sexual orientation question  (as a % of all aged 16+) (Census 2021)
• Non respondents to the gender identity question  (as a % of all aged 16+) (Census 2021)

Reports

We have not added any of the sexual orientation and gender identity indicators to the Community Insight reports.

The small area education census data is now live in Community Insight. You can start using and analysing this data for all your stock group areas. 

For guidance on using Census 2021 data in Community Insight please see “How to explore Census 2021 data in Community Insight”.

Summary of published data

Download the full list of indicators now available in Community Insight. 

We have added 7 indicators to Community Insight. This release includes small area data from the education topic summary. The 7 indicators below are now live in Community Insight: 

• People with no qualifications (Census 2021)
• Highest level of qualification: Level 1 qualifications (Census 2021)
• Highest level of qualification: Level 2 qualifications (Census 2021)
• Highest level of qualification: Level 3 qualifications (Census 2021)
• Highest level of qualification: Level 4/5 (degree or higher) qualifications (Census 2021)
• Highest level of qualification: Other qualifications (Census 2021)
• Highest level of qualification: Apprenticeship (Census 2021)

Reports

We have updated 5 of the indicators in the Community Insight report (see Education & skills: page 47). You will need to update your reports in order to see Census 2021 data here.

The small area housing census data is now live in Community Insight. You can start using and analysing this data for all your stock group areas. 

For guidance on using Census 2021 data in Community Insight please see “How to explore Census 2021 data in Community Insight”.

Summary of published data 

Download the full list of indicators now available in Community Insight.

We have added 71 indicators to Community Insight. This release includes small area data from the housing topic summary. Indicators for the following datasets can now be seen live in Community Insight: 

• Accommodation Type (9 indicators) 
• Car ownership (4 indicators) 
• Central heating (1 indicator) 
• Heating type (11 indicators) 
• Number of Bedrooms (4 indicators) 
• Number of Rooms (10 indicators) 
• Occupancy rating of bedrooms (6 indicators) 
• Occupancy rating of rooms (6 indicators) 
• Second address type (8 indicators) 
• Second addresses (2 indicators) 
• Tenure (10 indicators) 

ONS also published datasets on Communal establishment resident by age and Communal establishment resident by management type. These are currently not available in Community Insight as the data has not been published at Output Area. 

Reports

We have updated 34 of the indicators in the Community Insight report (see Housing: pages 24, 25 and 29 and Access and transport: Car ownership: page 56). You will need to update your reports in order to see Census 2021 data here.

The Community Insight support team will be off during the Christmas break from Wednesday 21 December to Tuesday 3 January inclusive.

We will not be able to respond to any Community Insight support requests sent to support@ocsi.co.uk during this time.

Support

If you experience any issues or need support please visit  the Help Centre.

If you have another question which requires assistance from a member of the team, please email support@ocsi.co.uk.  We will reply upon our return in January.

Enjoy the festive break.

The small area labour market and travel to work census data is now live in Community Insight. You can start using and analysing this data for all your stock groups. 

For guidance on using Census 2021 data in Community Insight please see “How to explore Census 2021 data in Community Insight”.

Summary of published data 

Download the full list of indicators now available in Community Insight.

We have added 67 indicators to Community Insight. This release includes small area data from the labour market and travel to work topic summary. Indicators for the following datasets can now be seen live in Community Insight: 

• Economic activity status (24 indicators) 
• Travel to work (21 indicators) 
• Industry and occupation (22 indicators)

ONS also published detailed breakdowns of different occupation and industry datasets. These are currently not available in Community Insight as the data has not been published at Output Area (and will show very low numbers in many instances). However, we can add breakdowns that are useful to you upon request – please send these to support@ocsi.co.uk 

Reports

We have updated 14 of the indicators in the Community Insight report (see Economy: Economic activity – page 51 and Economy: Job type – page 52). You will need to update your reports in order to see Census 2021 data here.

The small area ethnic group, national identity, language and religion census data is now live in Community Insight. You can start using and analysing this data for all your stock groups. 

For guidance on using Census 2021 data in Community Insight please see “How to explore Census 2021 data in Community Insight”.

Summary of published data 

Download the full list of indicators now available in Community Insight

We have added 68 indicators to Community Insight. This release includes small area data from the ethnic group, national identity, language and religion topic summary.

Indicators for the following datasets can now be seen in Community Insight: 

• English language proficiency (5 indicators)
• Ethnic Group (25 indicators)
• Household language (4 indicators)
• Households with multiple ethnic groups (6 indicators)
• Households with multiple languages (4 indicators)
• National identity (16 indicators)
• Religion (8 indicators)

ONS also published detailed breakdowns of main language, national identity and religion datasets. These are currently not available in Community Insight as the data has not been published at Output Area (and will show very low numbers in many instances). However, we can add breakdowns that are useful to you upon request – please send these to support@ocsi.co.uk 

Additional census religion data in Community Insight

The question about religion in the 2021 census was voluntary. Overall, 94.0% (56.0 million) of usual residents answered the question.

ONS percentages are calculated out of the overall population as opposed to out of the population who responded to the religion question. Because the census question about religious affiliation is voluntary and has varying response rates, caution is needed when comparing figures between different areas or between censuses (source ONS).

Alongside adding the official ONS figures to Community Insight, we have also included an additional indicator for each religion that uses only people who responded to the religion question as the denominator. These indicators are displayed as [Religion] (% of all respondents – Census 2021)

Below is an example how these distinct indicators display in Community Insight

• Jewish (% of all people – Census 2021)
• Jewish (% of all respondents – Census 2021)

These supplementary indicators that use respondents only as the denominator provide additional value as the response rates vary considerably across local areas. There are a multitude of possible driving factors behind non-response rates, which are not necessarily related to religious affiliation.

The ONS figures are the ones that will be in your default themes. However, should you want to use the alternative figures you can find these on the Dashboard or add them to the map using the manage indicators page.

Reports

We have updated 35 of the indicators in the Community Insight report. You will need to update your reports  in order to see Census 2021 data here.

Data includes:

Community Insight England:

• Population by ethnic group (pg. 5)
• Population by household language (pg. 6)
• Population by religion (pg. 9)

Community Insight Wales:

• Population by ethnic group (pg. 5)
• Population by religion (pg 9)
• Population by household language (pg. 10)