Ref: FOI/2022/4463
You asked
Was Corby included in the 2021 Census?
If so, could I have the population?
We said
Thank you for your enquiry about Census 2021 data for Corby in Northamptonshire.
On 28 June 2022 we published the first results from Census 2021 on the population and housing in England and Wales that took place 21 March 2021. Census 2021 rounded population and household estimates for local authorities in England and Wales, by sex and five-year age group are available to download via the following link: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/populationandhouseholdestimatesenglandandwalescensus2021
Although Corby was a separate local authority when 2011 Census data was released, it is now part of North Northamptonshire. This Unitary Authority comprises the former districts of Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering and Wellingborough and was changed in 2021.
Data for North Northamptonshire from Census 2021 is available in the first results mentioned above, and you can see an overview of how it has changed since 2011 here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censuspopulationchange
Census 2021 data specifically for Corby will be published in the future. As such, the information you have requested is considered exempt under Section 22(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, whereby information is exempt from release if there is a view to publish the information in the future. As a central government department and producer of official statistics, we need to have the freedom to be able to determine our own publication timetables. This is to allow us to deal with the necessary preparation, administration and context of publications. It would be unreasonable to consider disclosure when to do so would undermine our functions. This exemption is subject to a public interest test. We recognise the desirability of information being freely available and this is considered by ONS when publication schedules are set in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. The need for timely data must be balanced against the practicalities of applying statistical skill and judgement to produce the high quality, assured data needed to inform decision-making. If this balance is incorrectly applied, then we run the risk of decisions being based on inaccurate data which is arguably not in the public interest. This will have an impact on public trust in official statistics in a time when accuracy of official statistics is more important to the public than ever before.
For an indication of timescales for later releases, including the topic summaries, area profiles and phase 2 and 3 releases, please see our Release plans webpage.