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Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics: Intermediate Geography Background Information
Introduction to Intermediate Geography
Last year we introduced the new statistical geography called data zones, this geography has now been supplemented with a new intermediate geography. The data zones and intermediate zones build on the well established postcode and census geographies and are now the key geographies for disseminating government statistics and for supporting policy making.
Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics introduced in 2004, for the first time, a common, stable and consistent small area geography called data zones. The data zone is the key small area statistical geography in Scotland. The data zone geography covers the whole of Scotland and nests within local authority boundaries. Data zones are groups of 2001 Census output areas which have populations of between 500 and 1,000 household residents, where possible they have been made to respect physical boundaries and natural communities. They have a regular shape and contain households with similar social characteristics.
Not all statistics are suitable for release at the data zone level because of the sensitive nature of the statistics or for reasons of reliability and it was apparent that a statistical geography between data zone and local authority was required. The Intermediate zones are aggregations of data zones within local authorities and are designed to contain between 2,500 and 6,000 people.
We are grateful for the knowledge and experience that Community Planning Partnerships brought to the process of creating the new intermediate geography.
Office of the Chief Statistician
February 2005
Scottish Executive
3WR, St Andrews House
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
Telephone: 0131 244 0442
Fax: 0131 244 0335
e-mail: statistics.enquiries@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
internet: www.sns.gov.uk
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