Social classification data for the UK

Question

Is anyone aware of 'social classification' data sources used, for example, here:

• http://www.checkmyarea.com/EC3N4AB.htm "Wealthy singles in small city flats and suburban terraces"
• http://www.checkmyarea.com/B66HE.htm "Ethnically mixed young families and singles in terraced housing"
• http://www.checkmyarea.com/EH12NG.htm "Suburban scottish households in small terraces and flats"

Answer 1

The data on this site uses the sum of AB and C1 from the census 2011 social classification data.

It can be downloaded without charge from NOMISWEB (ONS). I think the particular dataset you are after is LC6124EW (LC = Local characteristics; EW= England/Wales). You should also find the same dataset for Scotland suffixed SC instead.

More info on the details of the classification can be found here

Answer 2

The specific classifications you refer to sound very much like MOSAIC data from Experian. We use this in Local Government and the classifications sound exactly like that. It's a commercial dataset though and it doesn't look like there are any free or open versions. Looks like that website uses a variety of sources but I would take a bet that MOSAIC is one of the primary ones.