Censuses provide population numbers, household or family size and composition, and information on sex and age distribution. They often include other demographic, economic and health-related topics as well. The 2001 South Africa de facto census collected data through face-to-face interviews and self-enumeration on the subjects of housing, household demographics, employment, education, migration, household deaths, fertility for women 12 and older, and disability. Three questionnaires were administered to households, individuals living in group quarters, and institutions. The census day was October 10, 2001, and fieldwork continued until October 31. The undercount varied by province from 14.07% to 22.51% for individuals and from 15.55% to 26.21% for households.

A 10% differentially weighted sample of households from the census (3,725,655 individuals) is available through IPUMS International at the University of Minnesota. Dwellings and vacant units are not identified in the microdata sample.