Housing

Notes, definitions and supporting text for household estimates and projections

This page provides detailed definitions for the data presented in the live tables and Housing Statistics Annual, including the methodology used.

Definition of a household

In the Census, for the household projections and mid year estimates a household is defined as:

  • one person living alone, or
  • a group of people living at the same address who share common housekeeping or a living room

Estimates and projections of the number of households

The household figures for England, Wales and the English regions are derived by Communities and Local Government from the 2004 based household projection and estimation model using population figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS):

(a) up to 2004 they are derived using the ONS mid-year population estimates

(b) for 2006 onwards the 2004 based household projections are based on the ONS 2004 based population projections

The ONS population figures are split by marital status using the Government Actuary's Department marital status projections, and an estimate of the institutional household population is subtracted from the total population to give the private household population.

These population figures, split by age, sex and marital status, are multiplied by estimated or projected 'household representative rates' that represent the estimated or projected proportion of the population in that category who are household representatives. These rates are based on the 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001 censuses and Labour Force Survey data.

A more detailed description of the projection methodology Communities and Local Government household projections: Methodology and Sources of Data is available at Communities and Local Government 2003 based household projections: Methodology and Sources of Data.

Historic series: Mid year household estimates for England

The data for 1861 to 1961 are largely based on the census figures for England & Wales with Wales including Monmouthshire excluded to maintain an area consistent with modern England. The figures up until 1921 use families and separate occupiers and have not been adjusted to take account of the definitional change in 1921 that effectively removed the institutional population from the figures. The figure for 1939 is based on work by A. E. Holmans (see page 63, Housing Policy in Britain 1987, Croom Helm) with a pro rata adjustment made for England using the population ratio.

Historic series: Mid year household estimates and projections by Government Office Regions

An historic series of mid year household estimates have been constructed for Government Office Regions. Figures for earlier years may be less reliable.

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