Optimizing census geography: the separation of collection and output geographies

Abstract

This paper reviews the changing way in which census geography has been treated with the increasing automation of census data processing. A fourstage model of modern census geography development is presented. In the context of this model, current practice is reviewed, and new opportunities for automated census geography design presented, culminating in a current prototype for the separation of purpose-designed data collection and output geographies. The narrative is presented primarily from a British perspective, but focuses on internationally relevant issues such as the implementation of census geography design, and the influence of census output geography on data analysis.