Data zone centroids are point features that represent the population weighted centre of data zones - the key geography used for the dissemination of small area statistics in Scotland. These centroids are used to link data zones to other (higher level) geographies and produce a 'best-fit' match. Data zones can then be aggregated to approximate this larger area of interest or higher level geography that statistics wouldn’t normally be available for. Data zones also represent a relatively stable geography that can be used to analyse change over time, with changes only occurring after a Census. Data Zones were first created following the 2001 Census, with 6,505 data zones covering the whole of Scotland. This dataset was superseded by 2011 Data Zones created following the 2011 Census.
