The latest editions of Understanding Society Special Licence Access, Census 2021 Lower and Middle Layer Super Output Areas are now available from the UK Data Service. These new datasets include Scottish Data Zones and Intermediate Zones respectively for all waves, meaning that for the first time all four countries of the UK are now covered.
Each dataset contains Census 2021-defined geographic variables for each wave of Understanding Society to date, and a household identification serial number for file matching to the main data. LSOA’s are provided for England and Wales households, Super Data Zones (SDZ) are provided for Northern Ireland and Data Zones (DZ), are provided for Scotland. MSOA’s are provided for England and Wales and Intermediate Zones are provided for Scotland. There is no equivalent for Northern Ireland whose entries in this file are set to missing (-9).
You can find the datasets via the UK Data Service:
New Wellbeing Acorn data
In addition to the Census datasets, a new dataset has also been released with Wellbeing Acorn geodemographic segmentation codes for each household in every wave of Understanding Society, together with a household identification number (hidp) allowing it to be linked to the main Understanding Society data files. The dataset is produced by matching the Wellbeing Acorn segmentation against every Understanding Society household at the postcode level.
SN: 9385 Understanding Society: Waves 1-14, 2009-2023: Special Licence Access, Wellbeing Acorn
The Wellbeing Acorn segmentation system itself is developed and maintained by CACI Ltd and is designed by analysing demographic data, social factors, health and wellbeing characteristics in order to provide an understanding of the population’s wellbeing across the country. For details on the Acorn segmentation structure, and how is it is produced, please refer to the documentation and the CACI website.
All three of these datasets have more restrictive access conditions than End User Licence data. Researchers wishing to use these data must apply for access via a Special Licence application. You can find out more information on making a Special Licence application on the UK Data Service website. There is also an Understanding Society blog with tips for applying for Special Licence data.
Family and householdsHealth and wellbeingHousing
