South Africa Data Archive

The 1980 South African Population Census was enumerated on a de facto basis, that is, according to the place where persons were located during the census. All persons who were present on Republic of South African territory during census night (that is, midnight between 6 and 7 May 1980) were enumerated and included in the data. Visitors from abroad who were present in the RSA on holiday or business on the night of the Census, as well as foreigners (and their families) who were studying or economically active, were not enumerated and included in the figures. However, the South African personnel linked to the foreign missions including domestic workers were enumerated. Crews and passengers of ships were also not enumerated, unless they were normally resident in the Republic of South Africa. Residents of the RSA who were absent from the night were as far as possible enumerated on their return and included in the region where they normally resided. Personnel of the South African Government stationed abroad and their families were, however, enumerated. Such persons were included in the Transvaal (Pretoria)

Statistics South Africa

 
 
 
 
SADA 
 
South African Data Archive 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Population Census, 1980 
 
 
Statistics South Africa 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CODEBOOK 
 
SADA 0071 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As agreed upon in the signed ‘User Undertaking’ that accompanied data collection: 
 
 
BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION 
 
 
Any publication or other presentation based in whole or part on the data and documentation supplied by 
SADA must prominently use the following citation. 
 
Statistics South Africa. Population Census, 1980. [Computer file]. S0071. Pretoria: Statistics 
South Africa [producer], 1980. Pretoria: South African Data Archive, National Research 
Foundation [distributor] 2000. 
 
 
 
DEPOSIT OF PUBLICATIONS 
 
 
At least one copy of any published work or report based in whole or part on the dataset will be deposited 
with the South African Data Archive. Please indicate the title and number of the study utilized. 
 
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY 
 
The Archive and the depositor of the dataset supplied to the user bear no legal responsibility for its accuracy 
or comprehensiveness. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POSTAL ADDRESS    South African Data Archive 
                              National Research Foundation 
                              P.O. Box 2600 
                              Pretoria 
                              0001 
 
 
Telephone              +27 12 481- 4192 
Fax number            +27 12 481- 4020 
Electronic mail         sada@nrf.ac.za 
World Wide Web      http://www.nrf.ac.za/sada 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STUDY DESCRIPTION 
 
STUDY NUMBER: SADA 0071 
 
TITLE: Population Census, 1980 
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: 
Statistics South Africa 
 
DEPOSITOR: Statistics South Africa 
 
ORGANISATION HOUSING THE DATA: 
Statistics South Africa 
Private Bag x44 
Pretoria , 0001 
South Africa 
Tel: +27 (0) 12 310 8911 
Fax: +27(0) 12 322 3374 
Website: www.statssa.gov.za 
 
SERIES DATA: 
Series name: Principal Investigator: Currently available: 
Census  Statistics South Africa 1991 
Census   Statistics South Africa 1985 
Census  Statistics South Africa 1980 
Census Statistics South Africa 1970 
Census  Statistics South Africa 1996: 10% Sample 
Census  Statistics South Africa 2001: 10% Sample 
 
ABSTRACT: 
The 1980 South African Population Census was enumerated on a de facto basis, that is, according to the 
place where persons were located during the census. All persons who were present on Republic of South 
African territory during census night (i.e. at midnight between 6 and 7 May 1980) were enumerated and 
included in the data. Visitors from abroad who were present in the RSA on holiday or business on the night 
of the census, as well as foreigners (and their families) who were studying or economically active, were not 
enumerated and included in the figures. Likewise, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps of foreign 
countries were not included. However, the South African personnel linked to the foreign missions including 
domestic workers were enumerated.  Crews and passengers of ships were also not enumerated, unless they 
were normally resident in the Republic of South Africa.  Residents of the RSA who were absent from the 
night were as far as possible enumerated on their return and included in the region where they normally 
resided. Personnel of  the South African Government stationed abroad and their families were, however 
enumerated. Such persons were included in the Transvaal (Pretoria). 
 
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: South Africa   
 
IMPORTANT VARIABLES :  
Particulars of dwellings- type of dwelling, number of rooms, and ownership; Particulars of person- 
relationship within household, sex, age, marital status, population group, birthplace, country of citizenship, 
duration of residence at normal dwelling, religion/denomination, languages and literacy, level of education, 
sport and recreation, occupation, work status, identity of employer, economic sector and income; Particulars 
of the family including children at boarding school, university or undergoing military training. 
 
 
UNIVERSE :  
The 1980 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 areas in the following 
so-called National States of Ciskei, KwaZulu, Gazankulu, Lebowa, Qwaqwa, Kangwane, and Kwandebele.  
The 1980 South African census excluded the areas of the Transkei and Bophuthatswana.  
 
DATE OF FIELDWORK: 
7 May 1980 
 
METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION :  
 
In most cases the boundaries of the census districts corresponded with those of the magisterial districts.  
However, in some cases the boundaries did not correspond, particularly in the areas in and around the 
“National States”.  This was to facilitate the administration of the census and to make it easier to exclude 
figures of the “National states” form provincial totals. 
The RSA was divided into 316 census districts with a census supervisor in charge of enumeration in each 
such area.  These census districts were in turn subdivided into approximately 24 000 enumerator sub-
districts (ESDs).   The size of ESDs varied according to the number of persons in the ESD.  
The enumeration procedures differed by area.   The procedure in white urban areas was as follows:  Prior to 
the night of the census, every enumerator whose ESD fell within the limits of any municipality or other urban 
are, delivered the applicable questionnaires to every dwelling in the ESD. Thus for part of the country the 
1980 Census was conducted by way of distributing census questionnaires beforehand and collecting the 
completed returns after the census day. In cases where the enumerator was requested to, as well as where 
the respondent was unable to complete the questionnaire, the census enumerator assisted in the completion 
thereof. In white non-urban areas, questionnaires were not distributed before census day except to hotels. 
On census day the enumerator had to hand the questionnaires to the householder for immediate return.   
In black residential areas, enumerators carried out a comprehensive door-to-door survey. The particulars of 
all persons were entered on the appropriate questionnaire.  Particulars were filled out by the enumerator 
except where the respondent indicated that s(he) wanted to fill out the questionnaire him(herself).  
Questionnaires were not distributed before census day. Every household was enumerated on a separate 
questionnaire. 
For the purpose of the 1980 census urban area was defined as areas with some form of local authority.  
Industrial and mine towns without any form of local authority and other areas not included under urban was 
defined as non-urban.   
 
UNDER-ENUMERATION: 
 
All censuses are open to error. The following under-enumeration figures have been calculated for the 1980 
census.  Africans, excluding foreigners had an estimated overall under-enumeration rate of 22.7% (25.7% 
for males and 19.7% for females) 
Estimated percentage distribution of undercount by race: 
       Source 
Statistics SA HSRC 
White  7.1%  8.5%  
Black  19.5%  22.5% 
Colored  6.1%  3.2% 
Asian  8.6%  4.4% 
 
 
UNITS OF OBSERVATION: Persons were used as units of analysis.  
 
EXTENT OF DATA COLLECTION 
1 data file in SPSS, hardcopy documentation and hardcopy questionnaire. 
Number of cases                : 1 244 298 
Number of records             :  1 244 298 
Number of records per case: 1 
Logical record length          : 80 
Number of variables           : 18 
Number of kilobytes           : 146 459 KB 
 
 
PUBLICATIONS: 
Central Statistical Service Report No. 02-80-02. 1980. Population Census, 1980. Pretoria: Central Statistical 
Service. 
 
 


Population Census 1980

The 1970 South African Population Census was enumerated on a de facto basis, that is, according to the place where persons were located during the census. All persons who were present on Republic of South African territory during census night were enumerated and included in the data. Visitors from abroad who were present in the RSA on holiday or business on the night of the census, as well as foreigners (and their families) who were studying or economically active, were not enumerated and included in the figures. Likewise, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps of foreign countries were not included. However, the South African personnel linked to the foreign missions including domestic workers were enumerated. Crews and passengers of ships were also not enumerated, unless they were normally resident in the Republic of South Africa. Residents of the RSA who were absent from the night were as far as possible enumerated on their return and included in the region where they normally resided. Personnel of the South African Government stationed abroad and their families were, however enumerated. Such persons were included in the Transvaal (Pretoria)

 
 
 
 
 
 
SADA 
 
 
South African Data Archive 
 
 
 
 
Population Census, 1970 
 
 
Statistics South Africa  
 
 
 
 
CODEBOOK 
 
SADA 0072 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As agreed upon in the signed ‘User Undertaking’ that accompanied data collection: 
 
 
BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION 
 
Any publication or other presentation based in whole or part on the data and documentation 
supplied by SADA must prominently use the following citation. 
 
Statistics South Africa. Population Census, 1970. [Computer file]. S0072. Pretoria: Statistics 
South Africa [producer], 1970. Pretoria: South African Data Archive, National Research 
Foundation  [distributor], 2000. 
 
 
DEPOSIT OF PUBLICATIONS 
 
At least one copy of any published work or report based in whole or part on the dataset will be 
deposited with the South African Data Archive. Please indicate the title and number of the study 
utilized. 
 
 
 
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY 
 
The Archive and the depositor of the dataset supplied to the user bear no legal responsibility for 
its accuracy or comprehensiveness. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POSTAL ADDRESS    South African Data Archive 
                              National Research Foundation 
                              P.O. Box 2600 
                              Pretoria 
                              0001 
 
 
Telephone              +27 12 481- 4192 
Fax number            +27 12 481- 4020 
Electronic mail         sada@nrf.ac.za 
World Wide Web  http://www.nrf.ac.za/sada 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STUDY DESCRIPTION 
 
SADA 0072 
 
TITLE: Population Census, 1970 
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Statistics South Africa 
 
DEPOSITOR: Statistics South Africa 
 
ORGANISATION HOUSING THE DATA: 
Statistics South Africa 
Private Bag x44 
Pretoria , 0001 
South Africa 
Tel: +27 (0) 12 310 8911 
Fax: +27(0) 12 322 3374 
Website: www.statssa.gov.za 
 
SERIES DATA: 
Series name: Principal Investigator: Currently available: 
Census  Statistics South Africa 1991 
Census   Statistics South Africa 1985 
Census  Statistics South Africa 1980 
Census Statistics South Africa 1970 
Census  Statistics South Africa 1996: 10% Sample 
Census  Statistics South Africa 2001: 10% Sample 
 
ABSTRACT: 
The 1970 South African Population Census was enumerated on a de facto basis, that is, 
according to the place where persons were located during the census. All persons who were 
present on Republic of South African territory during census night were enumerated and included 
in the data. Visitors from abroad who were present in the RSA on holiday or business on the 
night of the census, as well as foreigners (and their families) who were studying or economically 
active, were not enumerated and included in the figures. Likewise, members of the Diplomatic 
and Consular Corps of foreign countries were not included. However, the South African personnel 
linked to the foreign missions including domestic workers were enumerated.  Crews and 
passengers of ships were also not enumerated, unless they were normally resident in the 
Republic of South Africa.  Residents of the RSA who were absent from the night were as far as 
possible enumerated on their return and included in the region where they normally resided. 
Personnel of  the South African Government stationed abroad and their families were, however 
enumerated. Such persons were included in the Transvaal (Pretoria). 
 
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: South Africa   
 
IMPORTANT VARIABLES :  
Particulars of dwellings- type of dwelling, number of rooms, and ownership; Particulars of 
person- relationship within household, sex, age, marital status, population group, birthplace, 
country of citizenship, duration of residence at normal dwelling, religion/denomination, languages 
and literacy, level of education, sport and recreation, occupation, work status, identity of 
employer, economic sector and income; Particulars of the family including children at boarding 
school, university or undergoing military training. 
 
UNIVERSE :  
The 1970 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 areas in 
the following so-called National States of Ciskei, KwaZulu, Gazankulu, Lebowa, Qwaqwa, 
Kangwane, Kwandebele, Transkei and Bophuthatswana.  
  
DATE OF FIELDWORK: 7 May 1970 
  
METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION :  
 
 In most cases the boundaries of the census districts corresponded with those of the 
magisterial districts.  However, in some cases the boundaries did not correspond, particularly 
in the areas in and around the “National States”.  This was to facilitate the administration of 
the census and to make it easier to exclude figures of the “National states” from provincial 
totals. 
 The RSA was divided into 400 census districts with a census supervisor in charge of 
enumeration in each such area. The enumeration procedures differed by area.The procedure 
in white urban areas was as follows:  Prior to the night of the census, every enumerator 
whose ESD fell within the limits of any municipality or other urban are, delivered the 
applicable questionnaires to every dwelling in the ESD. Thus for part of the country the 1970 
Census was conducted by way of distributing census questionnaires beforehand and 
collecting the completed returns after the census day. In cases where the enumerator was 
requested to, as well as where the respondent was unable to complete the questionnaire, the 
census enumerator assisted in the completion thereof. 
 In white non-urban areas, questionnaires were not distributed before census day except to 
hotels. On census day the enumerator had to hand the questionnaires to the householder for 
immediate return.   
 In black residential areas, enumerators carried out a comprehensive door-to-door survey. 
The particulars of all persons were entered on the appropriate questionnaire.  Particulars 
were filled out by the enumerator except where the respondent indicated that s(he) wanted 
to fill out the questionnaire him(herself).  Questionnaires were not distributed before census 
day.  
 Every household was enumerated on a separate questionnaire. 
 For the purpose of the 1970 census urban area was defined as areas with some form of local 
authority.  Industrial and mine towns without any form of local authority and other areas not 
included under urban was defined as non-urban.   
 
UNITS OF OBSERVATION: Persons were used as units of analysis.  
 
EXTENT OF DATA COLLECTION 
 6 data files in SPSS, hardcopy documentation and hardcopy questionnaire. 
 
 Asians Blacks Coloureds Whites House Dwelling 
Number of cases 630 622 751 892 2 050 937 3 792 848 1 403 466 1 389 394 
Number of records 630 622 751 892 2 050 937 3 792 848 1 403 466 1 389 394 
Number of records per case 1 1 1 1 1 1 
Logical record length 80 80 80 80 80 80 
Number of variables 32 21 32 32 20 57 
Number of kilobytes 43, 133 27, 552 123, 339 256, 799 46, 539 108, 851 
 
PUBLICATIONS: 
Central Statistical Service Report No. 02-80-02. 1970. Population Census, 1970. Pretoria: Central 
Statistical Service. 


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