Middle-layer Super Output Area (MSOA)

Definition

A Middle-layer Super Output Area (MSOA) is a medium-sized statistical geography used in England and Wales, sitting between LSOAs and Local Authorities. Each MSOA contains around 5,000-15,000 residents or 2,000-6,000 households.

Also known as

Mid-level census geography

Relevance to OCSI

MSOAs are widely used in health statistics, transport planning and socio-economic research. They provide a useful balance between granularity and data protection, allowing for meaningful analysis without the privacy concerns of smaller units like LSOAs.

Related links and examples


Author


Featured posts

Data analysis

Exploring Scotland’s Census 2022 data at a small-area level

We’re happy to announce that data from Scotland’s Census 2022 is now…
More

Research project: developing a measure of hyper-local need

Research Projects

Developing a measure of Hyper-local Need: neighbourhood level data to inform Labour’s key missions

The Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (ICON) was created in September to examine…
More

Case studies
Data analysis
Featured
Indices of Deprivation
left behind neighbourhoods
OCSI news
Research Projects
Resources and data
Uncategorized