Super Output Area

Super Output Area Definition
A Super Output Area (SOA) is a geographical area designed for the collection and publication of small area statistics. It is used on the Neighbourhood Statistics site, and has a wider application throughout national statistics. SOAs give an improved basis for comparison throughout the country because the units are more similar in size of population than, for example, electoral wards.

There are currently two layers of SOA, with areas intermediate in size between 2001 Census Output Areas (OAs) and local authorities, and each layer nests inside the layer above. The 34,378 Lower Layer SOAs in England and Wales were generated automatically and released to the public in February 2004.

The 7,193 Middle Layer SOAs were defined in a two-stage process: an initial set was generated automatically but the boundaries were then modified in consultation with local authorities and other local bodies. The final boundaries were released to the public in August 2004.