1996 CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING
FACT SHEET 11
CHANGES TO GEOGRAPHIC AREAS BETWEEN CENSUSES
Census data are available for Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) areas, Census Geographic Areas and user-defined areas. Information on changes to geographic areas from one census to the next is essential for time-series analysis.
COLLECTION DISTRICTS (CDs)
CD boundaries are re-defined each census according to a range of criteria. For example: the area and population of a CD must not be too great for a collector's workload; the population of the CD should, where possible, exceed 100 persons to maintain confidentiality; and CDs must not overlap existing ASGC boundaries. To meet these, and other criteria, a CD may have to be split, a number of CDs amalgamated, or a CD boundary moved. CD boundaries are changed only at the time of data release for each Census, the boundaries are not modified in the period between Censuses.
CDs can be amalgamated at any time to form ASGC, standard non-ASGC and user defined areas.
Where to locate information about changes to CDs between censuses
Information on the comparability of CDs from one census to the next is provided by Population Census Field Organisation, and is stored on the Collection District Record Database (CDRD).
The 1996 Census CD Comparability List, available from ABS Client Services, provides information on the comparability between 1996, 1991 and 1986 Census CDs.
These lists are produced in 1996 Census CD order. A single digit comparability code is provided which indicates whether a CD is comparable between the 1991 and 1996 Censuses, and the 1986 and 1996 Censuses, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|  |
|
|
|
|
1996 CD is comparable to the 1986 CD.
|
|
|
1996 CD is not comparable to the 1986 CD.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
1996 CD is perfectly comparable to the 1991 CD.
|
|
|
Despite a boundary variation the 1996 CD has the same dwellings as the 1991 CD. The 1996 CD is still comparable to the 1991 CD.
|
|
|
1996 CD is comparable within a 2% dwelling limit. A boundary change has occurred however no more than 2% of the dwellings in the 1991 CD have been subtracted from or added to the 1996 CD.
|
|
|
1996 CD is comparable within a 10% dwelling limit. A boundary change has occurred however no more than 10% of the dwellings in the 1991 CD have been subtracted from or added to the 1996 CD.
|
|
|
1996 CD is not directly comparable as a 1991 CD has been split into two parts, with the 1991 boundary being retained around two new 1996 CDs.
|
|
|
1996 CD is not directly comparable as a 1991 CD has been split into three parts with the 1991 boundary being retained around three or more new 1996 CDs.
|
|
|
1996 CD is not comparable because of a split or boundary variation with no common boundaries being retained.
|
|
|
1996 CD is not directly comparable because it is an amalgamation of two 1991 CDs to give a new 1996 CD (the 1991 outer boundaries are retained).
|
|
|
1996 CD is not directly comparable due to an amalgamation of three or more 1991 CDs, to give a new 1996 CD (the 1991 outer boundaries are retained).
|
|
|
OTHER ASGC AREAS
Although the ABS makes annual changes to ASGC areas (excluding CDs), ASGC areas used for the 1996 Census are those as defined at 1 July 1996.
Where to locate information about changes to ASGC areas between censuses
The ASGC Manual (Statistical Geography Volume 1 - Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) (Cat. No. 1216.0)) lists changes to ASGC areas. The 1996 Edition of the ASGC Manual is applicable to the 1996 Census and provides a summary of the changes to ASGC areas from the 1991 Census to the 1996 Census.
CENSUS GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
Some Census Geographic Areas are not defined by the ABS so the ABS creates approximations of these areas by aggregating CDs.
Generally, Census Geographic Areas are applicable as at census date, however, changes to these areas can occur in the period between censuses.
Statistical Geography Volume 2 - Census Geographic Areas (Cat. No. 2905.0) contains a detailed explanation of the Census Geographic Areas and lists their codes and labels.
Where to locate information about changes to Census Geographic Areas between censuses
Information on changes to Commonwealth and State Electoral Divisions are provided by the Electoral Commission and State Electoral Offices.
Information on changes to Post Codes can be obtained from Australia Post.
Generally, information on all other Census Geographic Areas, including postal areas, suburbs, census divisions, journey to work study areas and user-defined areas may be obtained from the relevant State or Territory ABS office.
Print Page
Print All