{"id":6517,"date":"2019-06-21T13:38:39","date_gmt":"2019-06-21T13:38:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/infed.org\/mobi\/?p=6517"},"modified":"2025-08-12T15:55:37","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T14:55:37","slug":"community-profiling","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/infed.org\/dir\/welcome\/community-profiling\/","title":{"rendered":"How to do a community audit: building profiles using neighbourhood statistics"},"content":{"rendered":"

On this page we suggest some basic and quick steps you can undertake a community audit, and gather information about a particular neighbourhood in Britain or Northern Ireland.<\/h2>\n

contents<\/strong>: i<\/a>ntroducing community audits and profiles<\/a> \u00b7 quick statistical profile<\/a> \u00b7 census material<\/a> \u00b7 local authority statistics and other material<\/a> \u00b7 crime<\/a> \u00b7 other searches<\/a> \u00b7 your local library and agencies in the area<\/a> \u00b7 further reading<\/a><\/h6>\n

<\/a>Introducing community audits and profiles<\/h3>\n

Community audits are basically mapping exercises. They help us to understand the resources there are within a neighbourhood or area, the possible needs of local people, and the responses or services we might be able to offer to address gaps or develop community life.<\/p>\n

There are three basic ways of undertaking a community audit or profiling exercise.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Desk-or kitchen table-based research.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Walking the streets.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Talking and listening to people. This might include using questionnaires, knocking on doors and chatting with people and holding meetings or group sessions to explore different issues.<\/p>\n

Here we focus on the first of these. The best and easiest starting point with regard to data about the community you are interested in profiling or auditing is the web. Most of the basic statistics and background you need can be obtained by a few keystrokes (hopefully!).<\/p>\n

Below we set out the first steps you need to take. From there we go on to look at the sort of paper information that might be available in your local library and via local agencies.<\/p>\n

For a quick statistical community profile or audit<\/h3>\n

For a quick start try Checkmystreet<\/strong><\/a>. Just add in the postcode and you get details of closest bus stops, train stations, sold prices, crime rate and broadband speed.<\/p>\n

Streetcheck<\/strong><\/a> is one of the best UK-wide local area community audit and profiling sites at the moment. It uses material from government databases, including census information and Land Registry data, and other sources including market research statistics. As well as data on housing and employment, the “people” section includes material on social class (rather curiously described as ‘social grade!), gender, relationship status, age groupings, health and education and qualifications. There are also figures for ethnicity, religion and so on.<\/p>\n

Streetcheck is accessed through postcodes – and it is important to click on the ‘summary’ tab once you have the results to check what areas are actually covered. The figures are initially based on the last census collection. Each group of postcodes should contain at least 100 people (50 in Scotland). The summary should show what postcodes are covered by the results.<\/p>\n

UK Local Area<\/strong><\/a> takes you straight to statistics about deprivation and crime in local communities and neighbourhoods. It rates areas on housing, employment, income deprivation, barriers to services, health etc. Their Help\/FAQ<\/strong><\/a> area gives a useful brief breakdown of their terms and sources.<\/p>\n

FindaHood<\/strong><\/a> is great if you want to audit or profile a neighbourhood or community in England (it is gradually expanding its reach). It provides a breakdown of school results, age of residents, family structure, crime results, occupations, religious affiliations and some details about gardens and green spaces.<\/a><\/p>\n

Nomis<\/strong><\/a> is a good source for local statistics in England and Wales. Look first for the local area report<\/strong><\/a>. There is a search box on the front page (but the local area report will take you to a separate search box). At the bottom of the results are links for the local authority area and the ward you are looking at. Results are organized under three headings:<\/p>\n