Where to find data about your local area

Statistics can help you to:

• Paint a clearer picture of your area
• Highlight the scale of an issue
• Identify which issues are most important to focus on
• Track changes in your area over time.

Main examples of local statistics include:

• Census data (Nomis web): every 10 years British households are surveyed
• Census data for neighbourhood statistics
• Open data for communities: official UK Department for Communities and Local Government linked data platform
• Benefit claimant data: number of benefit claimants in an area
• Indices of multiple deprivation: indicate how deprived areas are according to a number of factors
• Local Plan and supporting evidence base (local authority)

Levels of statistical data

Levels of data tend to be on four scales:

• Local authority (least detailed)
• Wards
• Middle layer super output areas
• Lower layer super output areas (most detailed)

Crime

• Police: local crime statistics

Health

• Public Health England: health profiles from local authorities

Heritage

• The Heritage List: Historic England
• Local authority: townscape assessments, conservation areas, listed buildings and local heritage assets.

Landscape

• ‘Designated’ sites: Nature sites and areas of countryside can be ‘designated’, which means they have special status as protected areas because of their natural and cultural importance
• Multi Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC): The MAGIC website provides authoritative geographic information about the natural environment from across government
• Local authority: Green belt, existing settlement boundaries, landscape character assessment

Retail

• Local planning authority: Retail development needs assessment, retail healthcheck including vacancy rates, Town centre strategies, Local Area Plans, retail hierarchy.

Biodiversity

• Natural England: information on designated sites
• Multi Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC): The MAGIC website provides authoritative geographic information about the natural environment from across government
• Local authority: Local Biodiversity Action Plan

Employment

• Census data (Nomis web): every 10 years British households are surveyed
• Housing and economic development needs assessments
• Local authority: Assessment of employment sites
• Advice: Local Chamber of Commerce, Local Enterprise Partnership, Business Improvement District.

Housing

• Household projects (local authority level)
• Census data – housing mix, type and tenure
• Local planning authority: Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, Strategic Housing Market Needs Assessment, Affordable housing waiting list from housing team
• Housing needs survey
• Local Plan call for sites
• Working with landowners and developers.

Other

• Local information systems: pool together of local data