The Census of Population conducted every ten years is a vital source of information about the number, distribution and condition of the population of England and Wales. This publication is the first report from the 2001 Census of Population for England and Wales. It provides a snapshot of the resident population at Census Day, 29 April 2001. The results give population totals by age and sex, at the National and Local Authority levels. Information from our regular censuses underpin and make an essential contribution to public policy and to service provision, in both the public and private sector. The population counts from this latest census will form the basis for key decisions over the next 10 years.