| Census Characteristics | 1971 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 |
| Title | Population Census; Building and Housing Census 1971 | Population Census; Building and Housing Census 1981 | Population Census; Building and Housing Census 1991 | Population Census; Building and Housing Census 2001 |
| Census Agency | Austrian Central Statistical Office | Austrian Central Statistical Office | Austrian Central Statistical Office | Statistics Austria |
| Population | Population with a main residence in the territory | Population with a main residence in the territory | Population with a main residence in the territory | Population with a main residence in the territory |
| Universe | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| De jure or de facto | De jure | De jure | De jure | De jure |
| Enumeration unit | Building; dwelling; household | Building; dwelling; household | Building; dwelling; household | Building; dwelling; household |
| Census day | 12 May 1971 | 12 May 1981 | 15 May 1991 | 15 May 2001 |
| Field work period | Approximately one month | Approximately one month | Approximately one month | Approximately one month |
| Enumeration forms used | For every enumeration unit the same form was used all over the country | For every enumeration unit the same form was used all over the country | For every enumeration unit the same form was used all over the country | For every enumeration unit the same form was used all over the country |
| Type of field work | Distribution and collection of questionnaires by enumerators; self-completion of questionnaires or by enumerators | Distribution and collection of questionnaires by enumerators; self-completion of questionnaires or by enumerators | Distribution and collection of questionnaires by enumerators; self-completion of questionnaires or by enumerators | Distribution and collection of questionnaires by enumerators; self-completion of questionnaires or by enumerators |
| Respondent | Owner of building; member of household | Owner of building; member of household | Owner of building; member of household | Owner of building; member of household |
| Coverage | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Microdata sample characteristics | 1971 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 |
| Sample microdata source | Statistics Austria | Statistics Austria | Statistics Austria | Statistics Austria |
| Sample design | Systematic sample of every 10th private household after a random start | Systematic sample of every 10th private household after a random start | Systematic sample of every 10th private household after a random start | Systematic sample of every 10th private household after a random start |
| Sample unit | Household | Household | Household | Household |
| Sample fraction | - | - | - | - |
| Sample fraction (private households) | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| Sample fraction (institutional households) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Sample size (person records) | 836.044 | 836.833 | 902.568 | 883.878 |
| Sample size (private households) | 740.012 | 747.728 | 767.246 | 794.657 |
| Sample size (institutional households) | 96.032 | 89.105 | 135.322 | 89.221 |
| Sample weights | - | - | - | - |
| Units identified | 1971 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 |
| Dwellings | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vacant units | No | No | No | No |
| Households | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Individuals | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Group quarters | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Settled/unsettled Population | - | - | - | - |
| Special populations | - | - | - | - |
| Unit definitions | 1971 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 |
| Dwellings | All housing units except those in group quarters or temporary homes; including dwellings consisting of one room without accessories or a kitchen | A dwelling (housing unit) is defined as a room or suite of rooms and its accessories (at least a kitchen or a kitchenette). | A dwelling (housing unit) is defined as a room or suite of rooms and its accessories (at least a kitchen or a kitchenette). | A dwelling (housing unit) is defined as a room or suite of rooms and its accessories (at least a kitchen or a kitchenette). |
| Households | Housekeeping-unit concept: common housekeeping; more than one household per housing unit possible | Housekeeping-unit concept: common housekeeping; more than one household per housing unit possible | Housekeeping-unit concept: common housekeeping; more than one household per housing unit possible | Household-dwelling-concept: living together in a dwelling |
| Institutional population | - | - | - | - |
| Group quarters | Group quarters are defined by listing different types such as hospitals, convalescence establishments, nursing homes, old people's homes, welfare institutions, military installations, religious institutions, dormitories of educational institutions, correctional and penal institutions etc.; two different types of institutional households: those of inmates and those of staff | Group quarters are defined by listing different types such as hospitals, convalescence establishments, nursing homes, old people's homes, welfare institutions, military installations, religious institutions, dormitories of educational institutions, correctional and penal institutions etc.; two different types of institutional households: those of inmates and those of staff | Group quarters: people living in establishments such as hospitals, convalescence establishments, nursing homes, old people's homes, welfare institutions, military installations, religious institutions, dormitories of educational institutions, correctional and penal institutions, refugee camps, worker dormitories, hotels, boarding houses etc. two different types of institutional households: those of inmates and those of staff | Group quarters are defined as institutions for the purpose of (long-term) inhabitation and provision of institutionalised care given to a group of persons. Such institutions are one of the following: dormitories of educational institutions, old people' and nursing homes, religious institutions, military installations, correctional and penal institutions, refugee camps etc. Only one type of institutional household: those of inmates. |
| Unsettled population | - | - | - | - |
in collaboration with Minnesota Population Center 
