ONS Coding System - Former Hierarchical Coding System

Former Hierarchical Coding System

The older ONS code was constructed top down:

  • A two-character code represented an administrative county.

For example, 12 for Cambridgeshire.

  • A four-character code represented a district, so that the first two characters showed the county in which the district was placed.

For example, 12UB for Cambridge district or 12UD for Fenland.

  • In the case of a unitary authority (including metropolitan and London boroughs) the first two digits were 00.

For example, 00AL for Greenwich (London Borough) or 00EC for Middlesbrough.

  • Local Government wards were given a two-letter code within their local authority.

For example 12UBGA for Petersfield Ward within Cambridge district.

  • The smallest level, Census Output Areas were originally given an additional 4 digits within a ward, so that the first output area in Petersfield Ward was coded 12UBGA0001.
  • Civil parishes were also coded using this hierarchical system. Parishes were coded using an additional 3 digits after their local authority. For example, within 12UD for Fenland district, the parish of Tydd St. Giles was coded 12UD010.

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