It was expedient to base design and operation of the Census on the principles and practices adopted in previous Census. Since 1981 Census of Housing and Population have been conducted in Norfolk Island every five years. There have been some modifications or enhancements based on experience including minor changes to the householders schedule to elicit more specific response and report format to highlight trends.

This census was fully processed locally by the Administration of Norfolk Island. Officers of this Administration performed the duties of Statistician and Field Supervisor. The island was divided into six Census Collectors' Districts for the purpose of the Census. Six Collectors were assigned the duties of distributing and collecting census schedules for private dwellings. The Field Supervisor dealt directly with the distribution and collection of schedules for Registered Tourist Accommodation, while a registered nurse assisted patients at the Public Hospital.

Confidentiality of Census information was maintained by arranging for householders to seal census schedules within envelopes before collection. Procedures ensured that this confidentiality was continued during processing of schedules. At the completion of processing, all forms were destroyed by burning.

Schedules were manually coded and input in coded form for summarising by computer database, tabulation and final report were completed by word processor while charts were prepared with spreadsheet graphing capabilities.

Norfolk Island population has distinct groups, namely Residents and Visitors. As has been done in previous census reports, particular emphasis has been given to the Resident Population in this report. The Tourist and Visitor population section provides a cross section of visitors in the island on Census night. The Norfolk Island Government Tourist Bureau publishes tourist statistics providing similar information for the full financial year. Summaries of Tourist Arrival Figures over recent years have been included at the end of this report.

Population : The population recorded in the Census comprises all persons who spent the night of 7 August 2001 in Norfolk Island (including neighbouring Nepean and Philip Islands) whether they normally reside in the island or were visiting on Census night. On this basis, persons who normally reside in Norfolk Island but were absent (on leave etc. or in transit to or from Norfolk island) on Census night were, of course excluded from the Census counts. By definition, persons (whether residents or visitors) arriving in Norfolk Island before midnight of 7 August 2001 were included in the Census totals, but were excluded if they arrived on or after 8 August 2001. Where 1996 Census figures are included, persons were excluded if they departed from the Island prior to midnight of 6 August 1996 but were included if they departed on or after 7 August 1996.

Some real world examples of this principle include a yacht that was anchored off the island on the 7 August but left Norfolk Island at sunset, the 5 people on board are not included in the census count. Alternatively, sadly for those who knew and loved him, a Norfolk Islander died on 8 August and was included in the census count. I am also aware of people who normally reside on the Island who, with members of their family, were absent for medical treatment on census night, these people are not included in the count. Alternatively there were people who hold Resident status on the island who normally reside elsewhere, but because they were in Norfolk Island on Census night they are counted with the Resident Population.

Population Classifications : The population has been defined as persons classified themselves in one of the categories in Question 10 of the Householders Schedule as follows :-

Permanent Population

Tourist and Visitor Population

4. A TOURIST or VISITOR to Norfolk Island.

As can be seen, in this Census, the Resident Population has been further classified into Permanent and Itinerant Populations. These groups have been tabulated separately (Sections B, C, D, E, F and G), to highlight different features and characteristics within these groups. For a number of tables these two groups have also been tabulated together and referred to as the Ordinarily Resident Population (Sections H, I and J).

Dwellings : For the purpose of this Census, dwellings (whether houses, flats or other dwelling units) were classified as either "private" or "non-private" dwellings. Private dwellings exclude all Registered Tourist Accommodation and the Hospital. This is the same classifications as used in previous Census of Population and Housing. It is intended that "Private" dwellings are those occupied by (or intended to be occupied by) the Ordinarily Resident Population. However experience has shown their are a number of visitors who stop privately with friends or house minding.

All statistical tables relate to occupied private dwellings with the exception of Table M1 which includes Unoccupied Private Dwellings. All figures in the Dwelling tables are for the 2001 Norfolk Island Census unless specifically stated otherwise.

By comparing Census figures of people on the island on Census night and those of the Immigration section of the Administration of Norfolk Island, it has been established that the Census achieved an excellent coverage of Ordinarily Resident population with a good coverage of the visitor population in Norfolk Island. There were a few Visitors forms returned totally blank and where possible information from immigration was used to include them in the head count although most of the responses would fall in the Not Stated category. District collectors were appointed areas of the island with which they were reasonably familiar, and as a result a full coverage of "private dwellings" (under the above definitions) has also been achieved.

Answers to individual questions were not obtained in all cases. Where possible gaps were filled during editing from local knowledge and information available from official sources. Particular care has been taken to avoid assumptions being made and where no answer was obtainable numbers are shown as "Not Stated" in the accompanying tables.

Because of the central importance of Residency Status in tabulation of this Census, where question 10 was not answered or incomplete information was given, all were classified according to information from official sources. Persons answering "5. Other" were persons either awaiting permits or persons not requiring permits. As a result, they have been classified as Itinerant Population under the Ordinarily Resident Population.

For personal questions other than age or residency status, the level of non-response (Not Stated) was lower for the Ordinarily Resident Population than for the Tourist and Visitor Population.

In all tables that have the column "Percent Of Total" included, where a discrepancy between totals and sum of components occurs, that discrepancy is due to rounding.

Residency Status (Table A1) : This table indicates an increase in Permanent Population of 7% over the last 5 years. It also shows an increase in Itinerant Population of 53% over the last five years, this reverses the trend of the last two Censuses, although it is still short of the figures from the 1986 Census. (Table A2) Of note in the Permanent population age groups (Table B1), is that the majority of the overall increase in numbers is in the over 40 area. A 13% increase in the 70 and over age group continues the trend from the 1996 Census. Although the male to female ratio in this age group reverses recent Census results.

Examination of individual tables within the Itinerant Population section (Tables E1, E4 and F1) highlights some changes in the nature of this group. The under 15 group has increased in line with the overall increase while the significant increases are in the 25-55 age groups. Of note in this group is the increase in separated and Divorced categories (Table F1) which is not reflected in the Permanent Population(Table C1). Comparisons with the 1996 Census should keep in mind the results of Table H5, which indicate that nearly the whole itinerant population arrived after that census. This result being a reflection of the immigration laws for the itinerant population.

Country of Citizenship (Tables B3, E3 and H4) : A number of persons omitted to state their country of citizenship. In these cases it was assumed that the country of citizenship was Australia if born in Australia or Norfolk Island, and New Zealand if born in that country. There were also a few dual and triple citizenship answers that were classified under the first stated citizenship.

Religion (Table H6) : This question was optional and therefore the level of non-response was high. There was e-mail circulating the world that recommended that respondents answer Jedi as a religion, which would force the category to be included in any reports. There were 3 responses of Jedi to this question in our Censes, these were classified as not stated. Persons who responded with "none" or similar were classified as No Religion, however those left blank are shown as Not Stated.

Occupation (Tables D1, G1 and J2) : In the 1991 and 1996 Census there were around 40% of the population who fit into the categories of Tradesman Labourers n.e.i. and Service, Sports and Recreational Workers. In this Census, changes were made to these categories in an attempt to further break down these categories providing more information.

Look for Work (Table I3) : On examination of the answers to this question it became evident that not all those persons who had responded "Yes - looked for work" were unemployed. This table therefore highlights whether the person who looked for work was in a job or business last week as per question 17 of the Householder’s Schedule.

Gross Weekly Income from All Sources (Tables C3, F3, and L1) : Comparisons of Income tables with the previous Census have been included for the first time. Although the difficulties of comparing dollar values over a period of time should be taken into consideration. Persons who responded "nil", "none" or similar were classified as No Income, however those left blank are shown as Not Stated. The additional responses to this question, while suggestive, were unable to be tabulated.

Fuel or power used for Household Purposes (Table N9) : the large number shown as "Not Stated" in secondary use for all purposes in this table is because most people indicated only one fuel or power for each household purpose.

Additional Tables – Information not sourced from Census Papers (Section O), in this Census additional information from official sources has been included. While this information was not compiled from the Census Questionnaires, it is hoped they may provide some background to changes in Population and Housing over the past 5 years. The Tourist Arrival figures over a period of time are considered more useful for some purposes than a pure snapshot of those currently on island. The Customs Import Statistics and Financial tables provide hopefully provide some insight into aspects of the Norfolk Island economy.

$ - Australian Dollars.

n.e.i. - Not elsewhere included (classified)

- - Nil or less than half the digit shown.