The London Output Area Classification (LOAC) 2011 relates to the 2011 Census, and is specified for 2011 Output Areas. This classification has been superseded by a new edition based on 2021 Census data and geography, see the Related Record below.

This classification was created using a two-tier classification based on 2011 Census data for Greater London. LOAC can be used to understand the variegated structure of neighbourhoods across London and is an open geodemographic that assigns each London neighbourhood into 8 Supergroups that are further divided into 21 Groups. The groups profile neighbourhood geography using 60 salient socio-demographic characteristics.

LOAC can provide valuable context to Borough and regional level planning, enabling analysts to understand local needs and to tailor policy and services accordingly.

Content

The data are available for download below. Also available are a final report on LOAC 2011, a lookup file for codes, names and colours, as well as a classification flyer.

Quality, Representation and Bias

A journal article accompanies LOAC which provides a thorough evaluation. All data used for this classification are sourced from the 2011 Census so bounded by the usual operational quality / representation and bias of a national census. The geodemographic classification created presents a best effort of the authors to represent the characteristics of the population and geographic context of London, however, there are decisions made during the classification process that guide these representations. For a full overview of these decisions and their rationale, see the published paper.