2011 Census
Need some help?
Call the national helpline on 0300 0201 101.
Make sure Salford's ready for the future
Every ten years a census takes place to count the population. The census is run by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the results are used to plan and allocate funding for all sorts of services and facilities in Salford, that you and your family may need.
Your form will have arrived in the post in March. The questionnaire sought information on age, sex, nationality, ethnic background, health, language, work, education and other key population characteristics. Completing the census is a legal requirement.
Households that don't complete it may be fined up to £1,000.
Why should this matter?
Like all local authorities in England and Wales, Salford City Council relies on census information to identify local needs and plan the delivery of local services such as hospitals, housing and local transport. Government funding for these council services is directly related to the number and characteristics of people that the census records as living in Salford. The census needs to include everyone, everywhere - and that's why everyone has to take part. Everybody counts.
What will you need to do?
All you need to do is complete the census questionnaire, answering questions about yourself and the people living with you in your household. You will be able to complete the survey online or by returning the paper questionnaire in the FREEPOST envelope provided. The information you provide will be treated in strictest confidence and will only be used to produce statistics. ONS will not share your personal information with any other government department or organisation. Only after 100 years will it be made available for family history research.
Completion of the census is compulsory. However, if you need any help or advice on the questionnaire, you will be able to find everything that you need to know online or via the census helpline, available from 4 March on 0300 0201 101.
Please remember that the census is compulsory and the benefits of an accurate return will help you and your local community.
Did you know?
Getting the 2011 Census questionnaire printed was a project of epic proportions. Millions were printed to help count all the people of England and Wales. The printing rate was nothing short of spectacular. It took just 0.125 seconds to print, cut, collate, staple, fold and trim each questionnaire. That's eight every second.
You can find further information and help, historical census data and anything else you need to know at the Census Online website.
This page was last updated on 5 September 2011
