The census returns for England and Wales have been taken every 10 years from 1801. Only the returns from 1841 inwards (with a few exceptions) have information to help a genealogist. These were taken on the following dates:

6th June 1841
30th March 1851
7th April 1861
2nd April 1871
3rd April 1881
5th April 1891
31st March 1901
2nd April 1911 – this is the last census return currently available
19th June 1921 – this will be available in 2022 via the Find My Past website
26th April 1931 – Destroyed by fire in WWII
29th Sept 1939 – Register for issuing of ID cards – except service personnel. This is now available on several subscription websites.
1941 – No census due to WWII

Click here to read more about census returns and what you may find on the 1911 returns