If I hear that word "unprecedented" one more time...
“The Census was conducted at an unprecedented time in Australia’s history and provides a unique snapshot of the population during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is different from previous Censuses.” (Dr David Gruen AO, Australian Statistician)
That’s true. Our society was in a pandemic shock at the time of the Census snapshot. And it raises the question, how useful is a “Crisis Census” for making informed decisions for things other than a crisis?
Will the 2021 Census “unique snapshot” throw us off the underlying trends that are important to understand for strategic decision making? For forecasting demand? For understanding the changing role and function of our metropolitan CBDs, the suburbs, growth areas and the regions? For understanding how our economic geography is changing?
Analysing Census data always requires a deft hand at the best of times. But making sense of the 2021 Census will require experienced practitioners more than ever, because it was conducted at a time which was, dare I say, unprecedented.
Ivan
