Data Zones are the primary geography for the release of small area statistics in Scotland and are widely used across the public and private sector. They are composed of Census Output Areas and are large enough that statistics can be presented accurately without fear of disclosure and yet small enough that they can be used to represent communities. They are designed to have roughly standard populations of 500 to 1,000 household residents, nest within council areas, have compact shapes that respect physical boundaries where possible, and to contain households with similar social characteristics. Aggregations of data zones are often used to approximate a larger area of interest or for a geography that statistics wouldn’t normally be available for. Data Zones represent a relatively stable geography that can be used to analyse change over time, with changes only occurring after a Census. The 6,505 '2001 Data Zones' were based on the 2001 census. Following Census 2011, there are now 6,976 Data Zones covering the whole of Scotland.