the United Kingdom Country (Sov) : Farmland Use, as reported by the Agricultural Census

Farmland Use, as reported by the Agricultural Census

Data cube chart.

Year Permanent Grass Arable
1871 22,525,761 Show data context
1891 27,567,663 Show data context 20,611,810 Show data context
1901 28,373,988 Show data context 19,386,597 Show data context
1911 27,241,899 Show data context 19,686,722 Show data context
Date Source
1871 - 1911 Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Statistics (HM Stationery Office) ,

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nCube definition


The Agricultural Census recorded the area of 'Arable Land' in each farm, and the area of 'Permanent Grass', sometimes sub-divided into grass 'for Hay' and 'not for Hay'. The 1961 Scottish Farm Census classified grassland aged over or under 7 years old; we treat the latter as being equivalent to 'rotation', and therefore as arable. We do not include the area of 'Rough Grazings' here as it was not recorded for all dates.


How to reference this page:

GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, the United Kingdom Country (Sov) through time | Historical Statistics on Agriculture & Land Use | Farmland Use, as reported by the Agricultural Census, A Vision of Britain through Time.

URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10024961/cube/AGCEN_FARM

Date accessed: 04th June 2026