As well as giving you the answer to our most frequently asked questions, here is an introduction to ACORN profiling which provides the details for My neighbours.
ACORN profiles in a nutshell
ACORN stands for ‘A Classification Of Residential Neighbourhoods.’ There are approximately 2 million postcodes in the U.K. (the average postcode being shared by around 14/15 addresses). The marketing-data firm CACI has produced this classification to include every street in England, Scotland and Wales, fitting them into 17 distinct groups, which, in turn, contain 56 ‘typical’ ACORN neighbourhood categories.The basic idea is that streets of broadly similar people are grouped together. Your postcode is assigned to the type which is the best match with the unique characteristics of your street. Please note that the description is for the type as a whole, not your specific street. When your street matches a type it doesn’t mean the description applies to you, as an individual.
Check the answers below to some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQ).
FAQ
- What are the type descriptions based on?
- How often are the types updated?
- Where do you get the information from for classifying the types?
- What is the difference between the snapshot and full profile?
- I’m a type 57. What does that mean?
- Disclaimer
What are the type descriptions based on?
Areas are grouped according to many different aspects, including house size, family size, age, car ownership, mix of occupations, method of travel to work. The descriptions of the types give a picture of the average across all streets in the type. Your postcode may be a close match to this average. The matching process considers a large number of different characteristics so the descriptions can’t include all of them. The description will cover the aspects in which the type is most different from the average for the country.
Since your type is simply the best match you’ll probably not match the description of the average characteristics in all respects.
As a result, you shouldn’t base your personal decision-making on the ACORN classifications. The descriptions apply to the type as a whole - not the specific postcode.
How often are the types updated?
CACI checks and updates its classifications annually, to reflect any evolution of an area and ensure that the area ‘profiles’ you read are as accurate as possible.
Where do you get the information from for classifying the types?
For each of the types, CACI arrives at their classification using more than 250 pieces of information drawn from the Census and various market research and lifestyle databases.
What is the difference between the snapshot and full profile?
The page My neighbours gives you a snapshot of the ACORN type for the postcode you’ve entered, including six easy-to-understand characterisations, a short summary of the type and the sort of neighbourhoods it is likely to be found.
For the full profile, the Classification is compiled using more detailed aspects including:
Demographics
This includes the typical age range of residents, ethnic population and details of household composition in the area (single households, number of children etc).
Housing
This informs you of the typical residential patterns in your area (owner- occupier, council tenant, second home) and of the predominant property types (flat conversion, bed-sits, detached houses).
Durables
Levels of car ownership, and any goods of significant use.
Financial
The area’s typical incomes and the likely popularity of personal pensions, bank accounts and credit cards.
Media
The most popular national newspapers.
Leisure
Other general information like the number of holidays people take and the population’s entertainment preferences.
If you’d like to find out more about CACI, or how this information is collated and used, please visit http://www.caci.co.uk.
I’m a type 57. What does that mean?
Type 57s are postcodes that aren’t classified by ACORN.
This could be for several reasons, including (but not limited to):
- When over half of the people in an area are living in communal establishments we do not classify by ACORN. These include places such as student halls of residence, old peoples homes, hospitals, hotels, hostels, military establishments and prisons.
- A postcode might not be classified if it is very new, either allocated to newly built properties or part of a reorganisation by the Post Office.
- ACORN classifies people so it doesn't classify postcodes that only apply to businesses.
Disclaimer
This data and description is wholly owned by CACI and does not necessarily represent the views of UpMyStreet.com. In no event shall CACI or UpMyStreet be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages for loss of profits, revenue, data or use incurred by you or any third party, whether in action in contract, tort, or otherwise, arising from your access to, or use of, this website. CACI and UpMyStreet make no representations about the suitability, reliability, timeliness, or accuracy of the information contained on this website. CACI and UpMyStreet reserve the right to make improvements, changes or updates to this website at any time without notice.
If you have any comments or require further information on My neighbours or CACI, please contact us.
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