Making sense of the census

OLDHAMERS will soon be asked to fill in a detailed questionnaire in a bid to shape the future of the borough. Reporter DAWN MARSDEN takes a closer look at the £482 million information-gathering exercise which is completed every 10 years.
IN 2001, there were 217,273 people living in Oldham — 105,036 males and 112,237 females.

More than half of all residents aged over 16 were married and almost three quarters stated their religion as Christian.

These fascinating facts were gathered via the census of 2001. Organisers are now waiting to see what’s changed over the last decade. This year’s questionnaire will be posted out to every household in Oldham over the next few weeks and forms must be returned, or filled in online, by March 27.

The data processing operation will be based in Trafford Park, Manchester.

The project will create 1,300 temporary jobs including advisers, collectors and co-ordinators in the region and 35,000 posts across England and Wales.

Completing the census is compulsory and anyone who fails to do so faces a £1,000 fine.

Facts gathered during the census provide real insight into the people that make up the town and the information is used to shape key decisions over the next 10 years.

While statisticians welcome the results of the census every 10 years, some people feel the questionnaire is intrusive and unnecessary.

Daniel Hamilton is campaign director of the civil liberties group Big Brother Watch.

He said: “At 32 pages, the census includes intrusive questions on your proficiency in English, your health, when you last worked, the identities of your overnight guests and the type of central heating you have.

“The Government has no need — and no right — to know this information about you.

“This census is a monumental waste of time and money.

“A large number of the questions duplicate data already held by the authorities on databases such as the electoral register, school records, tax returns and GP information. It also makes the entirely hollow, but nevertheless bullying, threat of fines of £1,000 for non-compliance. Back in 2001, three million people refused to comply.

“Given that there were fewer than 100 prosecutions for not filling the census in, it’s clear that non-compliance comes pretty much entirely without repercussions.

“Last time, 390,000 people declared their religion as ‘Jedi’. There’s no reason to think people will take the census any more seriously this year.”

Information provided to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for the census will be treated in the strictest confidence. It is used only to produce statistics — it will not be shared with any other government department or organisation.

Personal information will not be released for 100 years and will then become available for descendants to research their family history.

Charlie Parker, chief executive of Oldham Council, said: “This survey is absolutely crucial to the borough’s future — both in funding and planning terms.

“I would encourage everyone to take the time to fill in their questionnaires as soon as possible.”

The ONS has a national telephone helpline on 0300 0201 101 for people who want to know more about the census or need assistance filling it in.

Visit the website at www.2011.census.gov.uk for details.






Key findings from 10 years ago...



::There were 217,273 people living in Oldham — 105,036 males and 112,237 females.

::Of the total population, 152,602 citizens were 16 to 74-years-old, 49,992 were 15 and under and the remaining 14,679 were over 75.

::51 per cent of Oldhamers were married, 28 per cent were single, 12 per cent were divorced or separated and the remaining 9 per cent were widowed.

::30 per cent of households were one person, 37 per cent of households were married couples, 9 per cent were cohabiting couples and the remaining 11 per cent were lone parent households.

::34 per cent of Oldham households did not have a car, 44 per cent had one car and the remaining 22 per cent had two or more cars.

::65 per cent of Oldhamers travelled to work by car while 13 per cent used public transport.

::86 per cent of Oldhamers identified their ethnic group as white, 92 per cent put their place of birth as the UK, 7 per cent were born outside the UK and the EU and the remaining 1 per cent were born outside the UK but within the EU.

::73 per cent of Oldhamers cited their religion as Christian, 11 per cent were Muslim and 9 per cent said they followed no religion. The Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and Sikh religions were followed by less than 1 per cent each.

::A fifth of Oldhamers said they had a limiting long-term illness, 11 per cent said their general health was not good and 11 per cent said they provided unpaid care.

::59 per cent of Oldhamers were employed, 13 per cent were retired, 8 per cent were sick or disabled, 7 per cent were looking after their home or family, 4 per cent were unemployed and 2 per cent were students.

::13 per cent of Oldhamers were qualified to degree level or higher.

::There were 87,824 households with residents, 15.3 people per hectare and the average household size was 2.45.

::68 per cent of homes were owner-occupied, 7 per cent of these had no central heating and 0.2 per cent of these were without bath/shower and toilet.






Family history



Oldham Local Studies and Archives is looking back to previous head counts and how they can help family historians.



The department will be hosting another of its talks on Saturday from 10.30 am to noon.

The talk explores the history of the census, how the census works, and how family historians can make best use of it.