The population passed a quarter of a million
Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Milton Keynes increased by 15.4%, from just over 248,800 in 2011 to around 287,100 in 2021.
This means Milton Keynes' population saw the second-largest percentage increase in the South East, behind Dartford (where the population increased by 19.9%). The population of the South East increased by 7.5%, while the population of England rose by 6.6%.
In 2021, Milton Keynes was home to around 6.6 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 5.8 in 2011. This area was close to the median population density across English local authority areas at the last census.
This article generally uses percentages to enable comparisons over time and between areas. The percentage point change is also used to show the difference between the 2011 and 2021 percentages.
Population growth was higher in Milton Keynes than across the South East
Percentage population change, Milton Keynes and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% South East ▲7.5% Milton Keynes ▲15.4%| -2 | -0.5 | 0.5 | +2 | +8 | +16% |
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Median age increased
Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of Milton Keynes increased by two years, from 35 to 37 years of age.
This area had a lower average (median) age than the South East as a whole in 2021 (41 years) and a lower average (median) age than England (40 years).
The median age is the age of the person in the middle of the group, meaning that one half of the group is younger than that person and the other half is older.
The number of people aged 35 to 49 years rose by around 9,100 (an increase of 16.1%), while the number of residents aged 4 years and under fell by around 2,200 (10.9% decrease).
The share of residents aged between 35 and 49 years increased by 0.1 percentage points between 2011 and 2021
Percentage of usual residents
by age group,
| 85 years and over | 1.4 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 1.4%
1.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 to 84 years | 3.4 | 4.1 | 5.8 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 3.4%
4.1% |
| 65 to 74 years | 6.2 | 8.2 | 8.8 | 10.2 | 8.6 | 9.8 | 6.2%
8.2% |
| 50 to 64 years | 17.4 | 17.7 | 18.5 | 19.8 | 18.1 | 19.4 | 17.4%
17.7% |
| 35 to 49 years | 22.7 | 22.9 | 21.7 | 19.7 | 21.3 | 19.4 | 22.7%
22.9% |
| 25 to 34 years | 16.3 | 14.3 | 12.4 | 12.4 | 13.5 | 13.6 | 16.3%
14.3% |
| 20 to 24 years | 5.6 | 5.2 | 6.2 | 5.6 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 5.6%
5.2% |
| 16 to 19 years | 4.6 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 4.6%
4.4% |
| 10 to 15 years | 7.6 | 8.4 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.6%
8.4% |
| 5 to 9 years | 6.6 | 7.1 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 6.6%
7.1% |
| 4 years and under | 8.0 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 8.0%
6.2% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Milton Keynes residents' country of birth
In the latest census, around 206,100 Milton Keynes residents said they were born in England. This represented 71.8% of the local population. The figure has risen from around 194,200 in 2011, which at the time represented 78.1% of Milton Keynes' population.
India was the next most represented, with around 8,200 Milton Keynes residents reporting this country of birth (2.9%). This figure was up from just over 4,100 in 2011, which at the time represented 1.7% of the population of Milton Keynes.
The number of Milton Keynes residents born in Romania rose from around 350 in 2011 (0.1% of the local population) to just over 6,100 in 2021 (2.1%).
In 2021, 71.8% of Milton Keynes residents reported their country of birth as England
Percentage of usual residents
by country of birth,
| England | 78.1 | 71.8 | 84.8 | 81.7 | 83.5 | 80.3 | 78.1%
71.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 1.7 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.7%
2.9% |
| Romania | 0.1 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.1%
2.1% |
| Poland | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.5%
1.8% |
| Ghana | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.0%
1.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
Notes:
- This chart shows the five most common countries of birth in Milton Keynes in 2021
- Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings
| |
Fewer couples without children
Milton Keynes saw the South East's joint second-largest percentage-point fall (alongside Sevenoaks) in the proportion of households including a couple but no children (from 19.3% in 2011 to 16.6% in 2021).
Across the region, only Tandridge saw a greater fall in the percentage of households including a couple but no children (from 19.3% to 16.3%).
Across the South East, the percentage of households including a couple but no children fell from 18.7% to 17.4%, while the percentage in nearby West Northamptonshire fell from 20.3% to 18.2%.
The percentage of households including a couple without children in Milton Keynes decreased by 2.7 percentage points
Percentage of households
by household composition,
| One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) | 8.7 | 9.7 | 12.7 | 13.2 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 8.7%
9.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-person household: Other | 17.2 | 16.6 | 16.1 | 15.2 | 17.9 | 17.3 | 17.2%
16.6% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children | 19.3 | 16.6 | 18.7 | 17.4 | 17.6 | 16.8 | 19.3%
16.6% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children | 23.4 | 22.8 | 21.0 | 20.6 | 19.3 | 18.9 | 23.4%
22.8% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent | 5.9 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 5.9%
6.2% |
| Single-family household: Lone-parent household | 11.6 | 12.5 | 9.2 | 9.7 | 10.6 | 11.1 | 11.6%
12.5% |
| Other household types | 13.9 | 15.6 | 16.3 | 17.4 | 16.1 | 16.9 | 13.9%
15.6% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Disability in Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes saw the South East's second-largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot (from 8.8% in 2011 to 6.9% in 2021). These are age-standardised proportions.
Age-standardised proportions are used throughout this section. They enable comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure.
Across the region, only Slough saw a greater fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot (from 9.7% to 7.0%).
Every local authority area across the South East saw a fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot, as the regional proportion fell from 7.2% to 6.2%.
Census 2021 was undertaken during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This may have influenced how people perceived their health status and activity limitations, and therefore may have affected how people chose to respond.
Caution should be taken when making comparisons between 2011 and 2021 because of changes in question wording and response options.
The percentage of people who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot in Milton Keynes decreased by 1.9 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by long-term health condition or illness,
| Disabled and limited a lot | 8.8 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 6.2 | 9.1 | 7.5 | 8.8%
6.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled and limited a little | 9.7 | 9.9 | 9.4 | 9.9 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 9.7%
9.9% |
| Not disabled | 81.6 | 83.2 | 83.4 | 83.9 | 80.7 | 82.3 | 81.6%
83.2% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Religion in Milton Keynes
In 2021, 38.0% of Milton Keynes residents reported having "No religion", up from 31.3% in 2011. The rise of 6.6 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in Milton Keynes. Because the census question about religious affiliation is voluntary and has varying response rates, caution is needed when comparing figures between different areas or between censuses.
Across the South East, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 27.7% to 40.2%, while across England the percentage increased from 24.8% to 36.7%.
In 2021, 42.8% of people in Milton Keynes described themselves as Christian (down from 52.8%), while 7.1% described themselves as Muslim (up from 4.8% the decade before).
There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as a changing age structure or residents relocating for work or education. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals chose to self-identify between censuses. Religious affiliation is the religion with which someone connects or identifies, rather than their beliefs or religious practice.
Read the bulletin Religion, England and Wales: Census 2021.In 2021, 38.0% of usual residents in Milton Keynes reported having "No religion"
Percentage of usual residents
by religion,
| No religion | 31.3 | 38.0 | 27.7 | 40.2 | 24.8 | 36.7 | 31.3%
38.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian | 52.8 | 42.8 | 59.8 | 46.5 | 59.4 | 46.3 | 52.8%
42.8% |
| Buddhist | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5%
0.5% |
| Hindu | 2.8 | 4.5 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 2.8%
4.5% |
| Jewish | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2%
0.1% |
| Muslim | 4.8 | 7.1 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 4.8%
7.1% |
| Sikh | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.6%
0.7% |
| Other | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.5%
0.5% |
| Not answered | 6.6 | 5.7 | 7.4 | 6.1 | 7.1 | 6.0 | 6.6%
5.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
National identity in Milton Keynes
In 2021, 14.5% of Milton Keynes residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 11.3% in 2011.
In 2021, just over 1 in 40 people (2.8%) identified with a UK and non-UK national identity, compared with 1.1% in 2011. The percentage of residents in Milton Keynes that identified as "British only" increased from 20.4% to 55.1%.
The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK was greater in Milton Keynes (3.2 percentage points) than across the South East (1.6 percentage points, from 7.1% to 8.7%). Across England, the percentage increased by 1.7 percentage points, from 8.2% to 10.0%.
In Census 2021, “British” was moved to the top response option and this may have influenced how people described their national identity. For further information, please see our quality report.
The percentage of people who did not identify with at least one UK national identity in Milton Keynes increased by 3.2 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents
by national identity,
| British only identity | 20.4 | 55.1 | 17.9 | 56.7 | 19.2 | 56.8 | 20.4%
55.1% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welsh only identity | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.6%
0.3% |
| Welsh and British only identity | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1%
0.1% |
| English only identity | 56.4 | 14.2 | 61.8 | 16.2 | 60.4 | 15.3 | 56.4%
14.2% |
| English and British only identity | 8.2 | 11.9 | 9.9 | 14.6 | 9.1 | 14.3 | 8.2%
11.9% |
| Any other combination of only UK identities | 1.9 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.9%
1.2% |
| Non-UK identity only | 11.3 | 14.5 | 7.1 | 8.7 | 8.2 | 10.0 | 11.3%
14.5% |
| UK identity and non-UK identity | 1.1 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 1.1%
2.8% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Rise in private renting
Of Milton Keynes households, 20.9% rented privately in 2021, up from 17.3% in 2011.
In 2021, just over one in six households (18.1%) lived in socially rented housing, compared with 18.0% in 2011. The percentage of Milton Keynes households that owned their home (outright or with a mortgage or loan) decreased from 57.7% to 54.8%.
The increase in the percentage of privately-rented homes was greater in Milton Keynes (3.6 percentage points) than across the South East (2.9 percentage points, from 16.3% to 19.2%). Across England, the percentage increased by 3.6 percentage points, from 16.8% to 20.5%.
Private renting in Milton Keynes increased by 3.6 percentage points
Percentage of households
by housing tenure,
| Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan | 57.7 | 54.8 | 67.6 | 65.7 | 63.3 | 61.3 | 57.7%
54.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared ownership | 6.1 | 6.1 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 6.1%
6.1% |
| Social rented | 18.0 | 18.1 | 13.7 | 13.6 | 17.7 | 17.1 | 18.0%
18.1% |
| Private rented | 17.3 | 20.9 | 16.3 | 19.2 | 16.8 | 20.5 | 17.3%
20.9% |
| Lives rent free | 0.9 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.9%
0.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Unpaid care in Milton Keynes
In 2021, 4.0% of Milton Keynes residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 6.5% in 2011. These are age-standardised proportions.
Age-standardised proportions are used throughout this section. They enable comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure.
In 2021, just under 1 in 50 people (1.7%) reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 1.4% in 2011. The proportion of Milton Keynes residents (aged five years and over) that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care remained at 2.5%.
The decrease in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care in Milton Keynes (2.5 percentage points) was similar to the decrease across the South East (2.8 percentage points, from 7.3% to 4.5%). Across England, the proportion fell by 2.8 percentage points, from 7.2% to 4.4%.
Census 2021 was undertaken during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This may have influenced how people perceived and managed their provision of unpaid care, and therefore may have affected how people chose to respond.
Caution should be taken when making comparisons between 2011 and 2021 because of changes in question wording and response options.
The percentage of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care in Milton Keynes decreased by 2.5 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents (aged five years and over)
by hours per week of unpaid care provision,
| Does not provide weekly unpaid care | 89.6 | 91.8 | 89.3 | 91.6 | 88.7 | 91.1 | 89.6%
91.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 19 hours of unpaid care | 6.5 | 4.0 | 7.3 | 4.5 | 7.2 | 4.4 | 6.5%
4.0% |
| 20 to 49 hours of unpaid care | 1.4 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.4%
1.7% |
| 50 or more hours of unpaid care | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.5%
2.5% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Ethnic groups in Milton Keynes
In 2021, 12.4% of Milton Keynes residents identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category, up from 9.2% in 2011. The 3.3 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.
Across the South East, the percentage of people from the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" ethnic group increased from 5.2% to 7.0%, while across England the percentage increased from 7.8% to 9.6%.
In 2021, 71.8% of people in Milton Keynes identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 80.0% in 2011), while 9.7% identified their ethnic group within the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category (compared with 6.9% the previous decade).
The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category increased from 3.3% in 2011 to 4.1% in 2021.
There are many factors that may be contributing to the changing ethnic composition of England and Wales, such as differing patterns of ageing, fertility, mortality, and migration. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals chose to self-identify between censuses.
Read the bulletin Ethnic group, England and Wales: Census 2021.In 2021, 12.4% of usual residents in Milton Keynes identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category
Percentage of usual residents
by ethnic group,
| Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh | 9.2 | 12.4 | 5.2 | 7.0 | 7.8 | 9.6 | 9.2%
12.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African | 6.9 | 9.7 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 6.9%
9.7% |
| Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups | 3.3 | 4.1 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 3.3%
4.1% |
| White | 80.0 | 71.8 | 90.7 | 86.3 | 85.4 | 81.0 | 80.0%
71.8% |
| Other ethnic groups | 0.6 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.6%
2.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Changing relationships in Milton Keynes
In 2021, 9.3% of Milton Keynes residents (aged 16 years and over) said they had got divorced or dissolved a civil partnership. This figure decreased from 9.6% in 2011.
Milton Keynes saw the South East's joint third-largest fall (alongside Oxford) in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership.
These figures include same-sex marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships in 2021, neither of which were legally recognised in England and Wales in 2011. Same-sex marriages have been legally recognised in England and Wales since 2014 and opposite-sex civil partnerships have been recognised since 2019.
The percentage of adults who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership in Milton Keynes decreased by 0.3 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by legal partnership status,
| Never married and never registered a civil partnership | 33.4 | 37.0 | 31.9 | 34.8 | 34.6 | 37.9 | 33.4%
37.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Married or in a registered civil partnership | 48.2 | 46.2 | 49.6 | 47.6 | 46.8 | 44.7 | 48.2%
46.2% |
| Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership | 3.4 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 3.4%
2.6% |
| Divorced or civil partnership dissolved | 9.6 | 9.3 | 9.1 | 9.3 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 9.6%
9.3% |
| Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner | 5.3 | 4.8 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 5.3%
4.8% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Change in employment
Of Milton Keynes residents aged 16 years and over, 61.8% said they were employed (excluding full-time students) in 2021, down from 64.0% in 2011.
In 2021, just under 1 in 30 people (3.1%) said they were unemployed, compared with 4.5% in 2011. The percentage of retired Milton Keynes residents increased from 15.4% to 16.7%.
The decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed was greater in Milton Keynes (2.3 percentage points) than across the South East (1.3 percentage points, from 59.0% to 57.6%). Across England, the percentage fell by 0.8 percentage points, from 56.5% to 55.7%.
Census 2021 took place during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a period of rapid and unparalleled change; the national lockdown, associated guidance and furlough measures will have affected the labour market and our ability to measure it.
The percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were employed (excluding full-time students) in Milton Keynes decreased by 2.3 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by economic activity status,
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment | 64.0 | 61.8 | 59.0 | 57.6 | 56.5 | 55.7 | 64.0%
61.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed | 4.5 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 2.9 | 4.5%
3.1% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: In employment | 2.3 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 2.3%
2.0% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.7%
0.6% |
| Economically inactive: Retired | 15.4 | 16.7 | 21.8 | 22.5 | 21.2 | 21.5 | 15.4%
16.7% |
| Economically inactive: Student | 3.7 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 3.7%
4.6% |
| Economically inactive: Looking after home or family | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 4.3%
4.8% |
| Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled | 3.1 | 3.4 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 3.1%
3.4% |
| Economically inactive: Other | 2.1 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 3.1 | 2.1%
3.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Fewer adults working long hours
In 2021, 9.7% of Milton Keynes residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked over 49 hours per week. This figure decreased from 12.9% in 2011.
The decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week was greater in Milton Keynes (3.2 percentage points) than across the South East (2.7 percentage points, from 14.6% to 11.9%). Across England, the percentage fell by 2.2 percentage points, from 13.3% to 11.1%.
Working hours may have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The percentage of adults in employment who worked 49 hours or more in Milton Keynes decreased by 3.2 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over and in employment
by the number of hours worked per week,
| 15 hours or less worked | 8.3 | 8.6 | 10.4 | 11.0 | 9.7 | 10.3 | 8.3%
8.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 to 30 hours worked | 16.6 | 16.9 | 18.4 | 18.6 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 16.6%
16.9% |
| 31 to 48 hours worked | 62.3 | 64.8 | 56.6 | 58.6 | 57.5 | 59.1 | 62.3%
64.8% |
| 49 or more hours worked | 12.9 | 9.7 | 14.6 | 11.9 | 13.3 | 11.1 | 12.9%
9.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Health in Milton Keynes
In 2021, 47.4% of Milton Keynes residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 44.9% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 35.9% to 34.8%. These are age-standardised proportions.
Age-standardised proportions are used throughout this section. They enable comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure.
The proportion of Milton Keynes residents describing their health as "very bad" was 1.1% (similar to 2011), while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 4.2% to 3.8%.
These data reflect people’s own opinions in describing their overall health on a five point scale, from very good to very bad.
Census 2021 was conducted during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This may have influenced how people perceived and rated their health, and therefore may have affected how people chose to respond.
The percentage of people in very good health in Milton Keynes increased by 2.5 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by self-reported health,
| Very good health | 44.9 | 47.4 | 47.5 | 49.6 | 45.0 | 47.5 | 44.9%
47.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good health | 35.9 | 34.8 | 35.3 | 34.4 | 34.8 | 34.2 | 35.9%
34.8% |
| Fair health | 13.8 | 12.8 | 12.7 | 11.8 | 14.2 | 13.0 | 13.8%
12.8% |
| Bad health | 4.2 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 4.2%
3.8% |
| Very bad health | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.2%
1.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
About the data
Census data are adjusted to reflect estimated non-response so that the published results relate to the entire usually resident population as it was on Census Day (21 March 2021).
Those respondents who were on furlough because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic were asked to classify themselves as "temporarily away from work" to ensure they remained in the economically active population.
Students are counted as usually resident at their term-time address even if they were not physically present there on Census Day.
The questions relating to disability differed slightly between 2011 and 2021 to ensure that data were more closely aligned with the definition of disability in the Equality Act (2010). There was also a change to question wording for unpaid care, for more information read the health, disability and unpaid care quality information.
Age-standardised proportions are used throughout the health, disability and unpaid care sections. They allow for fairer comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure. The 2013 European Standard Population is used to standardise proportions.
Percentages and percentage point changes have been individually rounded to one decimal place. This means they may not sum exactly.
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xlsx (1.5 MB)About these articles
There is an article like this for every local authority district in England and Wales. The articles have been written and semi-automated by our data journalists and are a new publishing format for the Office for National Statistics.
Topics are chosen and ordered automatically based on how relevant they are for each area, however all data are checked before publishing.
We have not included topics that were new for Census 2021 or where there is no comparability with the 2011 Census. Read about how we developed and tested the questions for Census 2021.
These articles were first published on 8 December 2022 covering topics such as demography, country of birth, ethnic groups, religion, national identity and economic activity status. They were updated on 19 January 2023 following the release of more data from Census 2021 and now include housing tenure, general health, disability and unpaid care.
Related links
Supporting information | Released 2 November 2022
What topic summary data for Census 2021 will be available and how to view them.
Interactive tool | Released 8 December 2022
Use our interactive map to find out what people’s lives are like across England and Wales.
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Digital Content Article | Released 2 December 2022
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Contact
census.customerservices@ons.gov.ukTelephone: +44 1329 44 4972