There has been a census taken in the United Kingdom every ten years since 1801. However, those for 1801, 1811, 1821 and 1831 were statistical only. Those since 1841 contain information about individuals, their occupations and families. The census returns are available online via the National Archives after 100 years.

The Ecclesiastical parish of Tilton on the Hill, containing Tilton, Halstead, Marefield and Whatborough, fell under the registration district of Billesdon during the 19^th Century. Together, they made up a single complete Enumeration District. Transcriptions for the Tilton enumeration district have been completed and can be accessed below.

In 1841, the census differed significantly from those that followed: It rounded down ages, did not show family relationships. In 1851 the census date was moved to March / April in order to capture more of mobile agricultural-based population at their usual addresses. William Large completed many of the early census returns, presumably the same William Large as lived in Halstead.