1 The word 'census' originates in ancient Rome from the Latin word 'censere' meaning 'estimate'. It is believed the census was first used in ancient Rome in order to calculate taxes and was originally carried out every five years.
2 The first known censuses were taken by the Babylonians nearly 6,000 years ago.
3 All 700,000 households in Northern Ireland will be included in 2011's census and all their occupants counted. Just under 2,000 temporary staff are currently being trained up to assist in this task.
4 Perhaps the most well-known census is recounted in the Bible. Luke Chapter Two, Verses One to Four describe Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem to take part in the census while Mary is heavily pregnant with the baby Jesus.
5 In England's 1871 census, categories of 'lunatic' and 'imbecile' were added to the 'list of the infirm'.
6 A census has been held every decade since 1801 except in 1941 because of the Second World War. A mini-census was held in 1939 so that everyone could be issued with a National Identity Card.
7 Before the 1951 census women were asked to be more honest about their age. Many women felt that questions relating to their age were too personal.
8 Left out of 2011's census are questions on: accommodation all on one floor; bath/shower/toilet access; lowest level of living accommodation and number of employees at place of work. There was no longer considered a need for this information.
9 Questions are decided upon through a programme of public consultation, during which 1,100 people are asked their opinion. This is supplemented by roadshows, meetings and other correspondence. The questions then get approval from the Northern Ireland Assembly.
10 1971's census didn't include an unpopular question on income, tested in 1968 and 1969. The tests showed it could undermine response rates, and there were strong grounds to question the accuracy of the answers. There is still no income question on the census questionnaire.
11 The first successfully completed census of Ireland took place in 1821 but it, and almost all the census returns up until 1891, were destroyed either by Government order during the First World War, or were lost in the destruction of the Public Records Office in Dublin in 1922.
12 The census is being held on a Sunday this year as it is considered to be the day most people are likely to be at home. The questionnaire will contain details on what to do for those who will not be home on the day.
13 The questionnaire can be filled in online this year for the first time. A paper questionnaire will be issued to every household as normal, so people have the choice which method they prefer. A unique internet access code will be printed on each household's paper copy.
14 There are 59 questions altogether, with 14 about the household and its accommodation. There are 45 questions for each individual member of the household to complete.
15 New questions included this year cover adapted accommodation, passports held, languages and migration.
16 Data given in the census is protected by law and does not leave the UK. It is a criminal offence to disclose personal census data and is punishable by a fine and/or up to two years in prison. Everyone who works with the data is security checked and signs an undertaking to protect the privacy of the information.
17 Anyone visiting a household in the UK on the day that the census takes place must see to it that they complete a questionnaire.
18 This year's United Kingdom census form will be available in Braille and audio formats, as well as guidance in large print and in other languages, such as Polish.
19 The last census took place on April 29 2001, which was the 200th anniversary of census-taking in Britain. The earliest recorded full census here took place in 1901.
20 The population census of 1841 showed that almost one half of the families living in Ireland lived in one-roomed cabins of about 3m wide to 7m long.
21 The first thorough survey of England was in 1086 when William the Conqueror ordered a detailed list of land and property known as The Domesday Book.
22 The census of 1911 included questions on marriage and fertility, as the birth rate had been falling since 1870.
23 1911 also saw the UK's first high-tech census, using Hollerith technology to encode and sort the data using punched cards.
24 It is compulsory for everybody to take part.
25 Finally, the first results of this year's census are expected to be published in summer 2012.
CAPTION: Launching the 2011 census are Emer and Sinead McGarry from St Dominic's Grammar School, head of census Robert Beatty and Registrar General Norman Caven
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