Revising small area statistics geographies: data zones and intermediate zones
Overview
Data Zones and Intermediate Zones are small area geographies used in the production of official statistics in Scotland. They were first introduced in 2004, and revised in 2014. The purpose of this consultation is to seek feedback from users on proposals to update these geographies to ensure that they remain fit for purpose.
Data Zones are designed so that they are roughly comparable in population size, with around 500 to 1,000 people. There are currently 6,796 Data Zones in Scotland. They serve two main functions in the production of official statistics. Firstly, they provide a standard, stable geography for the production and publication of statistics at a local area on a wide range of topics. Secondly, aggregations of Data Zones can be used to provide estimates for higher level geographies where official statistics might not otherwise be available.
Intermediate Zones are similar to Data Zones but cover a larger area and population. They are designed to have populations of between 2,500 and 6,000, and there are currently 1,279 Intermediate Zones. They are intended to be used to produce local area statistics where statistics cannot be published at Data Zone level due to the risk of disclosing sensitive information.
We need to revise Data Zones and Intermediate Zones because of changes to population and other geographical boundaries since they were last revised in 2014. In particular, the proposed changes have been produced to align with new population data from the 2022 Census.
The purpose of this consultation is to seek feedback from users on our proposed revisions to Data Zones and Intermediate Zones.
In the consultation paper you will find more infromation on:
- what are data zones and intermediate zones?
- why we need to revide data zones and intermediate zones
- methodology
- summary of changes
- responding to this consultation
Download the proposed Data Zones and Intermediate Zones.
Useful information about responding to this consultation
As you complete your response, each page will provide the option to 'Save and come back later' at the bottom. This means you can save your progress and return to the consultation at any time before it closes. If you don't use this feature and leave the consultation midway through, your response will be lost.
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On the 'About You' page at the end of this consultation, organisations will have the opportunity to tell us more about their work and/or how their response was informed.
After the consultation has closed there will be a few months delay before any responses are published. This is because we must check any responses to be published abide by our Terms of Use.
A analysis report will usually be published some months after the consultation has closed. This report will summarise the findings based on all responses submitted. It will be published on the Scottish Government website and you may be notified about it if you choose to share your email address with us. You can also join our consulation mailing list where we regularly list newly published analysis reports (as well as new consultations).
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