Continuous Household Survey

Background Information / Details of the Survey

This survey asks questions on a variety of topics, such as internet access, the environment, tourism, libraries, health, sport and education.

The Survey is designed to provide a regular source of information on a wide range of issues relevant to Northern Ireland. It has been running since 1983, with recent results covering housing characteristics, changing population, tourism, participation in sports, arts and culture and attitudes towards the environment. We are carrying-out this survey for a number of Government Departments and Agencies.

Received a letter?

The information leaflet explains all about the survey in detail.

A copy of the letter send to households can be viewed here.

Our interviewers will present their official NISRA ID when they call.

You can view the letters sent to respondents and alternative language versions here.

If you have any questions please phone or email Michael Bennett on 02890 255120, Michael.Bennett@nisra.gov.uk

Methodology

The Continuous Household Survey is based on a systematic random sample of 9,000 addresses drawn each year from the Pointer list of domestic addresses. Pointer is the address database for Northern Ireland maintained by Land & Property Services (LPS). More information on Pointer(external link opens in a new window / tab). (external link opens in a new window / tab)

Data is collected by personal interview using CAPI, and the interviews are spread equally over the 12 months from April to March.

Questionnaire

A copy of the current questionnaire can be viewed here

Topics include:

  • Tenure
  • Household Internet Access
  • Car Access          
  • Children Travel to School
  • Environmental Issues and Actions Taken              
  • Domestic Tourism – Overnight Trips
  • Domestic Tourism – Day Trips    
  • Sports Participation
  • Use of Public Library Services/Museum Services              
  • Participation in Arts Activities and Arts Events
  • Use of PRONI and Inland Waterways     
  • Use of Irish and Ulster-Scots languages
  • Mobile Phone Ownership           
  • Individual Internet Access and Usage
  • Well Being          
  • Education
  • General Health
  • Smoking
  • Drinking              
  • Road Safety
  • Employment     
  • Accidents/Illness at Work
  • Cycle/Walk to Work       
  • Income and Benefits
  • Religion, Sexual Identity, National Identity

Results / Publications

Result tables are available for the following topics - view the results tables

Household Composition
Individual Demographics
Accommodation and Tenure
Families and Children
Internet Access
Environmental Issues
Access to Cars

For Tourism Statistics please contact:

John Magill
02890 255165
John.Magill@nisra.gov.uk

For Sports, Arts and Leisure Statistics please go to the website below:

Department for Communities

https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/topics/dfc-statistics-and-research

Archived CHS results tables are available for the following topics, please click on the topic name to be re-directed to the results tables:

1. Household Composition 2. Accommodation and Tenure
3. Families and Children 4. Household Durables and Access to Internet
5. Environmental Issues 6. Adult Health
7. Child Health 8. Dental Health
9. Smoking 10. Drinking
11. Sport and Leisure 12. Carers
13. Mobility 14. Elderly
15. Childcare 16. Drugs
17. Accidents 18. Social Capital
19. Benefits 20. Languages 

If you have any queries about archived data, please contact:

Michael Bennett
02890 255120
Michael.Bennett@nisra.gov.uk

Microdata / Datasets

CHS Datasets can be found on the ESRC UK data archive(external link opens in a new window / tab).

Contacts

For more information on the CHS please contact:

Michael Bennett
02890 255120
Michael.Bennett@nisra.gov.uk

For Tourism Statistics please contact:

John Magill
02890 255165
John.Magill@nisra.gov.uk

For Sports, Arts and Leisure Statistics please contact:

Iain Bryson
028 9051 5431
iain.bryson@communities-ni.gov.uk

Central Survey Unit

Central Survey Unit Home page