The 2021 Classification for Output Areas (2021 OAC) is a hierarchical geodemographic classification across the UK which identifies areas of the country with similar characteristics. The OAC is produced as a collaboration between the Office for National Statistics and University College London. The classification contains the following breakdown of Output Areas into 8 different supergroups, into which are nested 21 groups and and 52 sub-groups.
Because the Census in Scotland was delayed from 2021 until 2022, and small area outputs from Northern Ireland's Census were not available at the time of production of the classification, this data release covers England and Wales only.
The reference paper for 2021 OAC is available at https://doi.org/10.1111/geoj.12550
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
Source | Office for National Statistics |
Attribution | Data provided by the Consumer Data Research Centre, an ESRC Data Investment: ES/L011840/1, ES/L011891/1 |
Data and Resources
- Pen Portraits and Input Variable Listingpdf
Classification typology, glossary of varaibles, glossary of terms,...
Download - Index Scores for Local Authoritiescsv
Index scores for each Supergroup, Group and Subgroup, for each local...
Preview Download
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Modified | 2024-04-24 |
| Release Date | 2023-10-12 |
| Frequency | Decennial |
| Spatial / Geographical Coverage Location | England and Wales |
| Temporal Coverage | April 2021 |
| Granularity | OA21CD |
| Author | |
| Contact Name | Oliver O'Brien |
| Contact Email | |
| Public Access Level | Public |