Population Census 1985
South Africa, 1985
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Reference ID
ZAF_1985_PHC_v01_M
Producer(s)
Statistics South Africa
Collection(s)
Metadata
Created on
Jan 27, 2012
Last modified
May 01, 2014
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Identification
Survey ID Number
ZAF_1985_PHC_v01_M
Title
Population Census 1985
Country/Economy
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| South Africa | ZAF |
Study type
Population and Housing Census [hh/popcen]
Kind of Data
Census/enumeration data [cen]
Unit of Analysis
The units of analysis under observation in the South African census 1985 are households and individuals
Version
Version Description
V1.0 Edited, anonymised dataset for public distribution
Version Date
2011-04-21
Version Notes
Version 1.0 of the dataset from the South African Census 1985 was downloaded from Statistics South Africa's website on 1 July 2010.
In this version (1.1) downloaded 3 March 2011, variable labels have been changed to lower case, and missing variable labels (for dwelling, age, industry, sex and district) have been added.
In this version (1.1) downloaded 3 March 2011, variable labels have been changed to lower case, and missing variable labels (for dwelling, age, industry, sex and district) have been added.
Scope
Notes
The scope of the South African census 1985 includes the following characteristics:
Individuals: relationship within household, sex, age, marital status, population group, birthplace, country of citizenship, level of education, occupation, identity of employer and the nature of economic activity.
Households: dwelling type, type of area (rural/urban)
Individuals: relationship within household, sex, age, marital status, population group, birthplace, country of citizenship, level of education, occupation, identity of employer and the nature of economic activity.
Households: dwelling type, type of area (rural/urban)
Coverage
Geographic Coverage
The 1985 census covered the so-called white areas of South Africa, i.e. the areas in the former four provinces of the Cape, the Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Natal. It also covered the so-called National States of KwaZulu, Kangwane, Gazankulu, Lebowa, Qwaqwa, and Kwandebele. The 1985 South African census excluded the areas of the Transkei, Bophutatswana, Ciskei, and Venda.
The 1985 Census dataset contains 9 data files. These refer to Development Regions demarcated by the South African Government according to their socio-economic conditions and development needs.
These Development Regions are labeled A to J (there is no Region I, presumably because Statistics SA felt an "I" could be confused with the number 1).
The 9 data files in the 1985 Census dataset refer to the following areas:
DEV REGION AREA COVERED
A Western Cape Province including Walvis Bay
B Northern Cape
C Orange Free State and Qwaqwa
D Eastern Cape/Border
E Natal and Kwazulu
F Eastern Transvaal, KaNgwane and part of the Simdlangentsha district of Kwazulu
G Northern Transvaal, Lebowa and Gazankulu
H PWV area, Moutse and KwaNdebele
J Western Transvaal
The 1985 Census dataset contains 9 data files. These refer to Development Regions demarcated by the South African Government according to their socio-economic conditions and development needs.
These Development Regions are labeled A to J (there is no Region I, presumably because Statistics SA felt an "I" could be confused with the number 1).
The 9 data files in the 1985 Census dataset refer to the following areas:
DEV REGION AREA COVERED
A Western Cape Province including Walvis Bay
B Northern Cape
C Orange Free State and Qwaqwa
D Eastern Cape/Border
E Natal and Kwazulu
F Eastern Transvaal, KaNgwane and part of the Simdlangentsha district of Kwazulu
G Northern Transvaal, Lebowa and Gazankulu
H PWV area, Moutse and KwaNdebele
J Western Transvaal
Geographic Unit
The lowest level of geographic aggregation covered by the South African census 1985 is suburb. The suburb codes are supplied with the documentation.
Universe
The South African census 1985 census covered the provinces of the Cape, the Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Nata and the so-called National States of KwaZulu, Kangwane, Gazankulu, Lebowa, Qwaqwa, and Kwandebele. The 1985 South African census excluded the areas of the Transkei, Bophutatswana, Ciskei, and Venda.
Producers and sponsors
Primary investigators
| Name |
|---|
| Statistics South Africa |
Sampling
Sampling Procedure
Although the census was meant to cover all residents of the so called white areas of South Africa, in 88 areas door-to-door surveys were not possible and the population in these areas was enumerated by means of a sample survey conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council.
Data Collection
Dates of Data Collection
| Start |
|---|
| 1985-03-05 |
Data Collection Mode
Face-to-face [f2f]
Data Collectors
| Name | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Statistics South Africa | SSA |
Questionnaires
Questionnaires
The1985 population census questionnaire was administered to each household and collected information on household and area type, and information on household members, including relationship within household, sex, age, marital status, population group, birthplace, country of citizenship, level of education, occupation, identity of employer and the nature of economic activities
Data Appraisal
Data Appraisal
UNDER-ENUMERATION:
The following under-enumeration figures have been calculated for the 1985 census.
Estimated percentage distribution of undercount by race according to the HSRC:
Percent undercount
Whites 7.6%
Blacks in the “RSA” 20.4%
Blacks in the “National States” 15.1%
Coloureds 1.0%
Asians 4.6%
The following under-enumeration figures have been calculated for the 1985 census.
Estimated percentage distribution of undercount by race according to the HSRC:
Percent undercount
Whites 7.6%
Blacks in the “RSA” 20.4%
Blacks in the “National States” 15.1%
Coloureds 1.0%
Asians 4.6%
Access policy
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The manager, DataFirst | University of Cape Town |
"DataFirst" |
Link |
Access conditions
Licensed dataset, accessible under conditions.
Citation requirements
Statistics South Africa (StatSA). South African Census 1985. South Africa. Version 1.0 of the licensed dataset (2000). Distributed by DataFirst.
Access authority
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DataFirst | University of Cape Town | info@data1st.org | Link |
Disclaimer and copyrights
Disclaimer
The user of the data acknowledges that the original collector of the data, the authorized distributor of the data and the relevant funding agency bear no responsibility for use of the data or for interpretations or inferences based upon such uses.
Copyright
Copyright 2000, Statistics South Africa
Metadata production
DDI Document ID
DDI_ZAF_1985_PHC_v01_M
Producers
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| DataFirst | University of Cape Town | DDI Producer |
Date of Metadata Production
2011-08-22
DDI Document version
Version 1.0