In the United Kingdom, a census is taken every 10 years and is released to the public after 100 years. The 1921 U.K. Census is the most recent one available on Ancestry, but it does not include Ireland or Scotland.

• The 1921 census wasn’t taken in Ireland due to the Irish War of Independence.
• The 1921 census for Scotland was taken but is managed separately by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) and can be found on their website, Scotland's People. 

Because of these exclusions, you may see this record collection referred to as either the 1921 U.K. Census or the 1921 Census of England and Wales. 

Overview of the 1921 Census

The 1921 Census is an important historical record that provides a unique glimpse into what life was like in England and Wales after World War I. In addition to typical census information, it also highlights some major changes and challenges:

Impact of WWI and changes for women

• Gender imbalance: WWI losses left 1.7 million more women than men in England and Wales
• Workplace shifts: Many women took on new jobs during WWI, beginning a change in workplace roles between 1911 and 1921.
• Voting rights: In 1918, women over 30 who met property requirements gained the right to vote. 

New features and details 

The 1921 census also introduced some unique details not seen in the 1911 census, offering new and exciting insights:

• Marital status: For the first time, divorces were recorded, marked as “D” for dissolved by divorce.
• Work information: Detailed employment information, including employer name, workplace address, and job roles.
• Orphanhood: For children under 15, this census recorded if both parents were alive, only their mother or father was alive, or neither was alive. 

Accessing the 1921 census

To access the 1921 census, you’ll need one of the following memberships:

• Canada Discovery Plus
• World Deluxe
• All Access

If you don’t have one of these memberships, you can:

• Start a Free Trial
• Upgrade Your Membership

Searching the 1921 census

Search the 1921 Census

Or,

1. From any page on Ancestry, click the Search tab and choose Census & Voter Lists.
2. On the right side of the page, select U.K. Census Collection.
3. Scroll down to Included data collections and select a 1921 census. 
4. Enter information about someone and click Search.

Frequently asked questions

Does this 1921 census collection include records from Ireland? 
No. The 1921 census wasn’t taken in Ireland because of the Irish War of Independence.

Does this 1921 census collection include records from Scotland?
No. Scotland’s 1921 census records are managed separately by Scotland and can be found on their website, Scotland's People.

Why is this census important? 
The 1921 census is important because it's the last major U.K. census available until 2051. The 1931 census was destroyed during WWII, and no census was taken in 1941 because of the war.

It includes important details, including new information about employment, marital status, education, and more, that can help lead to more discoveries.

Why am I being asked to upgrade or buy a membership if I already have one?
If you're being asked to upgrade or buy a membership, it could be because:

• You’re not signed in. Sign in and try again.
• You’re signed in to the wrong account. If you have multiple accounts or are using a shared device, sign out and sign in to the account with your membership, then try again.
• You need a different membership. To access the 1921 census, you’ll need one of the following memberships: Canada Discovery Plus, World Deluxe, or All Access. If you don’t have one of these memberships, you can: start a free trial or upgrade your membership.

What should I do if I get a blank page or error message when trying to view this census?
If you get a blank page or error message when trying to view the 1921 census, read Fixing Page or Button Problems on Ancestry or contact us for help.