Geography

Welcome to the NISRA Geography web pages where you can access and download a range of maps and digital products that support the use of geography in developing statistics.

The January 2024 Central Postcode Directory is now available, replacing the July 2023 version. Please refer to the requirements for accessing the data.

The NISRA Boundary Application is an interactive map created by Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland (OSNI). It can be used to display the boundaries of different geographies, as well as postcode locations.

 

Related statistics

Data Zones (Census 2021)

Data Zones (DZ2021) are a new statistical output geography, introduced in Northern Ireland after the 2021 Census.

Read more

Super Data Zones (Census 2021)

Super Data Zones (SDZ2021) are a new statistical output geography, introduced in Northern Ireland after the 2021 Census.

Read more

Central Postcode Directory

The Central Postcode Directory (CPD) contains a record of active and terminated postcodes in Northern Ireland, providing Irish Grid XY coordinates that represent the average location of the constituent addresses in each postcode.

Read more

Grid Square products

The Grid Square products are based on three Grid Square layers, each providing complete coverage of Northern Ireland:

  • 1km Grid Squares
  • 100m Grid Squares
  • Combined 1km and 100m Grid Squares
Read more

Useful links

This page provides useful links to the NISRA Boundary Application interactive map, as well as to Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland and Open Data NI for sourcing digital boundaries beyond those available on the NISRA website.

Read more

Output geography for Census 2011

Information on the statistical output geographies used in Census 2011, including digital boundaries for Small Areas and Super Output Areas.

Read more

Urban - Rural Classification

Guidance and supporting information on the statistical classification and delineation of urban/rural areas and settlements in Northern Ireland

Read more

Neighbourhood Renewal Areas (DfC)

Neighbouhood Renewal Areas (NRAs) are neighbourhoods identified as experiencing the most severe multiple deprivation and have been chosen to receive support under the Department for Communities People and Place strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal. In total 36 neighbourhoods have been identified to receive support.  

Read more

Northern Ireland Travel to Work Areas (TTWAs)

Travel to Work Areas (TTWAs) are zones defined where the bulk of their resident population work within the same area.  The fundamental criterion used in their creation is that, of the resident economically active population, at least 75 per cent actually work in the area, and also, that of everyone working in the area, at least 75 per cent actually live in the area.  

Read more

Northern Ireland Workplace Zones

Workplace zones are based on 2011 Small Areas (SA), which are then merged or split using thresholds of workers or workplace postcodes. Workplace zones are created by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on behalf of NISRA.

Read more

Output Areas (Census 2001)

Output Areas (OAs) were introduced in Northern Ireland after the 2001 Census.

Read more

Peacelines (NIO)

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) have supplied NISRA with the locations of peacelines throughout Northern Ireland as of October 2006.

Read more

Geography Lookups

Lookup tables for a range of administrative and statistical geographies are available to download.

Read more

Contacts for Geography

NISRA Geography

NISRA Geography
Colby House
Stranmillis Court
BELFAST
BT9 5RR

Email: geography@nisra.gov.uk