Output Area Classification (2011)

This classification 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 This classification has been superseded by a new edition based on 2021 Census data and geography and is available from the Related Record link below.

The 2011 Classification for Output Areas (2011 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 different groups and sub-groups.

Content

The data is available for download from the bottom of this page. Also available are pen portraits, a lookup table and a flyer which provides additional information about this project.

Quality, Representation and Bias

A journal article accompanies 2011 OAC 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.

Open

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field	Value
Source	Office for National Statistics
Author	Gale, Chris
Maintainer	Oliver O'Brien
Version	2.0
Last Updated	June 5, 2025, 08:25 (UTC)
Created	December 16, 2024, 18:43 (UTC)
Attribution	The data for this research have been provided by the Geographic Data Service (geods.ac.uk), a Smart Data Research UK Investment: ES/Z504464/1. Contains National Statistics data Crown copyright and database right 2015; Contains Ordnance Survey data Crown copyright and database right 2015.
Frequency	Decennial
Granularity	OA11CD
Spatial Coverage	United Kingdom
Temporal Coverage	April 2011