Approximated social grade (5 categories)

Description: This socio-economic classification is used by the market research and marketing industries to analyse spending habits and consumer attitudes. It is not possible to assign social grade precisely from Census 2021, although the Market Research Society's method provides a good approximation.

Quality information: As Census 2021 was during a unique period of rapid change, take care when using this data for planning purposes. Read more about this https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/methodologies/labourmarketqualityinformationforcensus2021[quality notice].

Comparability with 2011: Broadly comparable. In 2021, an improved methodological approach was used to create this variable. However, as social grade was modelled using different algorithms and variables in 2011 and 2021, it would be misleading to use census outputs to examine trends over this period.

Tenure of household (7 categories)

Description: Whether a household owns or rents the accommodation that it occupies.

Owner-occupied accommodation can be: * owned outright, which is where the household owns all of the accommodation * with a mortgage or loan * part-owned on a shared ownership scheme

Rented accommodation can be: * private rented, for example, rented through a private landlord or letting agent * social rented through a local council or housing association

This information is not available for household spaces with no usual residents.

Quality information: There is evidence of people incorrectly identifying their type of landlord as "Council or local authority" or "Housing association". You should add these two categories together when analysing data that uses this variable.

Comparability with 2011: Highly comparable

Number of cars or vans (4 categories)

Description: The number of cars or vans owned or available for use by household members.

Vehicles included: * pick-ups, camper vans and motor homes
* vehicles that are temporarily not working
* vehicles that have failed their MOT
* vehicles owned or used by a lodger
* company cars or vans if they're available for private use

Vehicles not included: * motorbikes, trikes, quad bikes or mobility scooters
* vehicles that have a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)
* vehicles owned or used only by a visitor
* vehicles that are kept at another address or not easily accessed

The number of cars or vans in an area relates only to households. Cars or vans used by communal establishment residents are not counted.
Households with 10 to 20 cars or vans are counted as having only 10.
Households with more than 20 cars or vans were treated as invalid and a value imputed.

Comparability with 2011: Highly comparable