How to compare areas and topics...
Main Content
The Neighbourhood Statistics 'Custom' Route
Use this part of the site to create your own tables or to compare different areas using maps and charts. This part of the Neighbourhood Statistics (NeSS) site can be used to
- Compare data and areas
- Build areas by selecting from a list or from a map
- Create tables, charts and thematic maps
- Save areas and topics to return to later
Comprehensive guidance for using the 'Custom' route can be found in the NeSS User Guide.
Neighbourhood Statistics does not:
- Provide data for postcode sectors. ONS Geography provides free downloads of National Statistics Postcode Directories. For more details of what is available, please visit the ONS Geography pages.
- provide multivariate tables, i.e. the number of cars owned by gender
Should you require this type of data, or have any queries relating to Census data, please contact Census Customer Services.
Area Types
Geographic Dissemination within NeSS is based on Super Output Areas (SOAs), a geography designed for the collection and publication of small area statistics. If you require data for wards, you will need to select one of the Administrative Hierarchies
The year associated with each Administrative Hierarchy refers to the boundaries in place as of 31 December of that year, so the 2011 Administrative Hierarchy for example will refer to boundaries in place as of 31 December 2011.
When you select 'Next' 
you can then move on to refine your area selection
Once you have selected your area, you can then move on to select your 'topics'.
It should be noted that, for a variety of reasons, data is not always available for all areas. If data is not available, the data value will be represented by a symbol
If data is not available for a particular area, such as a ward or parish, it still may be possible to build up a picture of a bigger area using SOA building blocks, this article explains the principles involved.
Once you have selected your Area and Topic combination you can then move on and create a table. From the resulting table you can, produce a graph or a thematic map. You can save the table or reorder the data in a variety of ways, please see the user guide for full details.
Viewing Requirements
To use the thematic mapping functionality, you need to have Adobe's free 'Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG)' software installed. Details of this software, and the minimum system requirements for using the Neighbourhood Statistics website can be found on the Viewing Requirements page.
Metadata
Each dataset within Neighbourhood Statistics, is accompanied by a small blue 
information button. This will give you access to comprehensive information about the data, including methodology, terminology, collection methods and contact details should further information be required.
Go to the Custom Route from the Neighbourhood Statistics homepage
Go to the 2011 Census homepage
