2019 Rehearsal

As part of our preparations for Census 2021, we at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) held a census rehearsal in autumn 2019.

Last updated:
22 June 2022

Our evaluation of the 2019 Rehearsal

The 2019 Collection Rehearsal evaluation for Census 2021, England and Wales details our findings from the 2019 Rehearsal, which covered households and communal establishments in four areas, and the Census Coverage Survey (CCS) rehearsal that immediately followed. The evaluation summarises the key activities of both rehearsals, our successes and key lessons we will be carrying forward into Census 2021.

Why we held a rehearsal

The rehearsal provided an important opportunity for us to test the processes, systems and services we'll need to use for Census 2021.

The census is important to all of us, giving the information needed to plan local services throughout England and Wales. The results of the rehearsal will help us make sure Census 2021 is a success.

Where it took place

The rehearsal took place within four specific local authority areas across England and Wales. These were:

  • Carlisle
  • Ceredigion
  • Hackney
  • Tower Hamlets

Find out how we chose our rehearsal areas.

Census rehearsal paper questionnaires

We created paper questionnaires for the census rehearsal for those who wanted or needed to fill in their questionnaire in this way.

You can view the household and communal establishment paper questionnaires using the links below.

Thank you to those who took part

If you live in one of these areas and took part in the rehearsal, we'd like to say a big "thank you". Your contribution will help us make sure Census 2021 runs smoothly and represents everyone.

Census Coverage Survey Rehearsal

We carry out a Census Coverage Survey after each census as a way of checking how many people have been missed and how many people have been counted more than once.

Now the census rehearsal is complete, we're holding a Census Coverage Survey Rehearsal to prepare for the one we'll be carrying out in 2021.

We're asking selected households to take part from our rehearsal areas. If we need your help, we'll send you a letter. One of our interviewers will then visit you and ask you some of the same questions included in the main rehearsal.

Find out more about the Census Coverage Survey

Census Quality Survey Rehearsal

In early 2020, we'll also be rehearsing the Census Quality Survey. This is another smaller survey we carry out after each census to help make sure the results are as accurate as possible.

It'll be similar to the Census Coverage Survey Rehearsal in that it'll repeat some of the questions from the main census rehearsal.

Again, we'll be asking certain households from our rehearsal areas to take part. However, we will not ask the same households to do both the Census Coverage Survey Rehearsal and the Census Quality Survey Rehearsal.

Find out more

You can find lots more information about the census at www.census.gov.uk.