The population reached nearly 430,000
Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of West Northamptonshire increased by 13.5%, from just over 375,100 in 2011 to around 425,700 in 2021.
This means West Northamptonshire's population saw the second-largest percentage increase in the East Midlands, behind Harborough (where the population increased by 14.3%). The population of the East Midlands increased by 7.7%, while the population of England rose by 6.6%.
In 2021, West Northamptonshire was home to around 2.2 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 1.9 in 2011. This area was among the lowest 30% for 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 West Northamptonshire than across the East Midlands
Percentage population change, West Northamptonshire and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% East Midlands ▲7.7% West Northamptonshire ▲13.5%| -2 | -0.5 | 0.5 | +2 | +8 | +16% |
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Median age stable in West Northamptonshire
The latest census data also show that the average (median) age remained 39 years in West Northamptonshire between the last two censuses.
This area had a lower average (median) age than the East Midlands as a whole in 2021 (41 years) and a slightly 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 50 to 64 years rose by just under 12,400 (an increase of 17.6%), while the number of residents aged 4 years and under fell by around 1,000 (4.0% decrease).
The share of residents aged between 50 and 64 years increased by 0.7 percentage points between 2011 and 2021
Percentage of usual residents
by age group,
| 85 years and over | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.0%
2.1% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 to 84 years | 4.8 | 5.6 | 5.7 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 4.8%
5.6% |
| 65 to 74 years | 8.1 | 9.5 | 9.1 | 10.5 | 8.6 | 9.8 | 8.1%
9.5% |
| 50 to 64 years | 18.7 | 19.4 | 19.0 | 20.1 | 18.1 | 19.4 | 18.7%
19.4% |
| 35 to 49 years | 22.6 | 20.4 | 21.4 | 18.6 | 21.3 | 19.4 | 22.6%
20.4% |
| 25 to 34 years | 12.9 | 13.7 | 12.1 | 12.7 | 13.5 | 13.6 | 12.9%
13.7% |
| 20 to 24 years | 6.1 | 5.7 | 6.8 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 6.1%
5.7% |
| 16 to 19 years | 4.9 | 4.4 | 5.3 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 4.9%
4.4% |
| 10 to 15 years | 7.2 | 7.5 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.2%
7.5% |
| 5 to 9 years | 5.9 | 6.2 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 5.9%
6.2% |
| 4 years and under | 6.7 | 5.6 | 6.0 | 5.2 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 6.7%
5.6% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
West Northamptonshire residents' country of birth
In the latest census, around 335,700 West Northamptonshire residents said they were born in England. This represented 78.9% of the local population. The figure has risen from around 319,500 in 2011, which at the time represented 85.2% of West Northamptonshire's population.
Romania was the next most represented, with just over 11,600 West Northamptonshire residents reporting this country of birth (2.7%). This figure was up from just under 1,200 in 2011, which at the time represented 0.3% of the population of West Northamptonshire.
The number of West Northamptonshire residents born in non-EU European countries (other than the UK and Turkey) rose from just under 1,200 in 2011 (0.3% of the local population) to around 9,100 in 2021 (2.1%).
In 2021, 78.9% of West Northamptonshire residents reported their country of birth as England
Percentage of usual residents
by country of birth,
| England | 85.2 | 78.9 | 87.6 | 84.2 | 83.5 | 80.3 | 85.2%
78.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | 0.3 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.3%
2.7% |
| Europe (other than the UK, Turkey and EU countries) | 0.3 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.3%
2.1% |
| Poland | 1.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.7%
2.1% |
| India | 0.8 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.8%
1.2% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
Notes:
- This chart shows the five most common countries of birth in West Northamptonshire in 2021
- Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings
| |
Family in West Northamptonshire
West Northamptonshire saw the East Midlands' joint second-largest percentage-point rise (alongside North Kesteven) in the proportion of households including a couple with only non-dependent children (from 5.8% in 2011 to 6.4% in 2021).
Across the region, only Leicester saw a greater rise in the percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children (from 6.4% to 7.3%).
Across the East Midlands, the percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children increased from 6.2% to 6.4%, while the percentage in nearby Cherwell remained 6.4%.
The percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children in West Northamptonshire increased by 0.6 percentage points
Percentage of households
by household composition,
| One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) | 10.6 | 11.3 | 12.3 | 13.0 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 10.6%
11.3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-person household: Other | 17.3 | 15.6 | 16.7 | 16.3 | 17.9 | 17.3 | 17.3%
15.6% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children | 20.3 | 18.2 | 19.5 | 18.2 | 17.6 | 16.8 | 20.3%
18.2% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children | 21.0 | 21.2 | 19.7 | 18.8 | 19.3 | 18.9 | 21.0%
21.2% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent | 5.8 | 6.4 | 6.2 | 6.4 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 5.8%
6.4% |
| Single-family household: Lone-parent household | 10.2 | 10.2 | 9.9 | 10.3 | 10.6 | 11.1 | 10.2%
10.2% |
| Other household types | 14.8 | 17.1 | 15.6 | 16.9 | 16.1 | 16.9 | 14.8%
17.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Ethnic groups in West Northamptonshire
In 2021, 4.9% of West Northamptonshire residents identified their ethnic group within the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category, up from 3.1% in 2011. The 1.8 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.
Across the East Midlands, the percentage of people from the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" ethnic group increased from 1.8% to 2.7%, while across England the percentage increased from 3.5% to 4.2%.
In 2021, 85.9% of people in West Northamptonshire identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 89.8% in 2011), while 5.3% identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category (compared with 4.3% the previous decade).
The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category increased from 2.4% in 2011 to 2.8% 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, 4.9% of usual residents in West Northamptonshire identified their ethnic group within the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category
Percentage of usual residents
by ethnic group,
| Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh | 4.3 | 5.3 | 6.5 | 8.0 | 7.8 | 9.6 | 4.3%
5.3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African | 3.1 | 4.9 | 1.8 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 3.1%
4.9% |
| Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups | 2.4 | 2.8 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 2.4%
2.8% |
| White | 89.8 | 85.9 | 89.3 | 85.7 | 85.4 | 81.0 | 89.8%
85.9% |
| Other ethnic groups | 0.4 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.4%
1.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
National identity in West Northamptonshire
West Northamptonshire saw the East Midlands' third-largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK (from 7.6% in 2011 to 12.7% in 2021).
Across the region, only Leicester (from 17.2% to 24.1%) and Boston (from 14.0% to 20.9%) saw a greater increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK.
Every local authority area across the East Midlands saw a rise in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK, as the regional percentage grew from 5.8% to 8.5%.
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 West Northamptonshire increased by 5.0 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents
by national identity,
| British only identity | 16.9 | 52.3 | 16.8 | 54.6 | 19.2 | 56.8 | 16.9%
52.3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welsh only identity | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.6%
0.3% |
| Welsh and British only identity | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1%
0.1% |
| English only identity | 63.6 | 17.8 | 65.5 | 18.3 | 60.4 | 15.3 | 63.6%
17.8% |
| English and British only identity | 8.9 | 14.1 | 9.4 | 15.8 | 9.1 | 14.3 | 8.9%
14.1% |
| Any other combination of only UK identities | 1.7 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.7%
1.0% |
| Non-UK identity only | 7.6 | 12.7 | 5.8 | 8.5 | 8.2 | 10.0 | 7.6%
12.7% |
| UK identity and non-UK identity | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 0.7%
1.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
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Rise in private renting
Of West Northamptonshire households, 19.1% rented privately in 2021, up from 15.1% in 2011.
In 2021, just over one in seven households (14.4%) lived in socially rented housing, compared with 14.8% in 2011. The percentage of West Northamptonshire households that owned their home (outright or with a mortgage or loan) decreased from 67.6% to 64.8%.
The increase in the percentage of privately-rented homes in West Northamptonshire (4.0 percentage points) was similar to the increase across the East Midlands (3.8 percentage points, from 14.9% to 18.7%). Across England, the percentage increased by 3.6 percentage points, from 16.8% to 20.5%.
Private renting in West Northamptonshire increased by 4.0 percentage points
Percentage of households
by housing tenure,
| Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan | 67.6 | 64.8 | 67.2 | 65.5 | 63.3 | 61.3 | 67.6%
64.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared ownership | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.1%
1.5% |
| Social rented | 14.8 | 14.4 | 15.8 | 14.9 | 17.7 | 17.1 | 14.8%
14.4% |
| Private rented | 15.1 | 19.1 | 14.9 | 18.7 | 16.8 | 20.5 | 15.1%
19.1% |
| Lives rent free | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.3%
0.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Unpaid care in West Northamptonshire
In 2021, 4.2% of West Northamptonshire residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 7.3% 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.
The decrease in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care was greater in West Northamptonshire (3.1 percentage points) than across the East Midlands (2.8 percentage points, from 7.4% to 4.6%). 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 West Northamptonshire decreased by 3.1 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 | 89.1 | 91.9 | 88.3 | 90.6 | 88.7 | 91.1 | 89.1%
91.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 19 hours of unpaid care | 7.3 | 4.2 | 7.4 | 4.6 | 7.2 | 4.4 | 7.3%
4.2% |
| 20 to 49 hours of unpaid care | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.3%
1.6% |
| 50 or more hours of unpaid care | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 2.9 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.3%
2.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Religion in West Northamptonshire
In 2021, 38.2% of West Northamptonshire residents reported having "No religion", up from 28.0% in 2011. The rise of 10.3 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in West Northamptonshire. 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 East Midlands, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 27.5% to 40.0%, while across England the percentage increased from 24.8% to 36.7%.
In 2021, 49.5% of people in West Northamptonshire described themselves as Christian (down from 60.3%), while 6.1% did not state their religion (down from 6.8% 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, 38.2% of usual residents in West Northamptonshire reported having "No religion"
Percentage of usual residents
by religion,
| No religion | 28.0 | 38.2 | 27.5 | 40.0 | 24.8 | 36.7 | 28.0%
38.2% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian | 60.3 | 49.5 | 58.8 | 45.4 | 59.4 | 46.3 | 60.3%
49.5% |
| Buddhist | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.4%
0.4% |
| Hindu | 1.1 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.1%
1.3% |
| Jewish | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.1%
0.1% |
| Muslim | 2.5 | 3.5 | 3.1 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 2.5%
3.5% |
| Sikh | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.4%
0.4% |
| Other | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.4%
0.6% |
| Not answered | 6.8 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 5.9 | 7.1 | 6.0 | 6.8%
6.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
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Health in West Northamptonshire
In 2021, 47.6% of West Northamptonshire residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 45.1% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 36.5% to 35.6%. 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 West Northamptonshire residents describing their health as "very bad" decreased from 1.1% to 0.9%, while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 3.8% to 3.5%.
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 bad health in West Northamptonshire decreased by 0.2 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by self-reported health,
| Very good health | 45.1 | 47.6 | 43.7 | 45.8 | 45.0 | 47.5 | 45.1%
47.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good health | 36.5 | 35.6 | 35.5 | 35.1 | 34.8 | 34.2 | 36.5%
35.6% |
| Fair health | 13.5 | 12.3 | 14.8 | 13.7 | 14.2 | 13.0 | 13.5%
12.3% |
| Bad health | 3.8 | 3.5 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 3.8%
3.5% |
| Very bad health | 1.1 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.1%
0.9% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
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More adults never married or in a civil partnership
Of West Northamptonshire residents aged 16 years and over, 35.6% said they had never been married or in a civil partnership in 2021, up from 32.0% in 2011.
In 2021, just under one in two people (47.1%) said they were married or in a registered civil partnership, compared with 49.3% in 2011. The percentage of adults in West Northamptonshire that had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership increased from 9.3% to 9.5%.
The increase in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership in West Northamptonshire (3.6 percentage points) was similar to the increase across the East Midlands (3.8 percentage points, from 32.3% to 36.1%). Across England, the percentage increased by 3.3 percentage points, from 34.6% to 37.9%.
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 never married or registered a civil partnership in West Northamptonshire increased by 3.6 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by legal partnership status,
| Never married and never registered a civil partnership | 32.0 | 35.6 | 32.3 | 36.1 | 34.6 | 37.9 | 32.0%
35.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Married or in a registered civil partnership | 49.3 | 47.1 | 48.7 | 45.8 | 46.8 | 44.7 | 49.3%
47.1% |
| Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership | 3.1 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 3.1%
2.4% |
| Divorced or civil partnership dissolved | 9.3 | 9.5 | 9.3 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 9.3%
9.5% |
| Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner | 6.3 | 5.5 | 7.2 | 6.4 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 6.3%
5.5% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
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Change in employment
Of West Northamptonshire residents aged 16 years and over, 60.9% said they were employed (excluding full-time students) in 2021, down from 61.7% in 2011.
In 2021, just under 1 in 40 people (2.4%) said they were unemployed, compared with 3.5% in 2011. The percentage of retired West Northamptonshire residents increased from 19.6% to 20.1%.
This area had the region’s highest percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed. South Derbyshire had the East Midlands' next highest percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed (60.7%), while East Lindsey had the region's lowest percentage (45.0%).
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 West Northamptonshire decreased by 0.8 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by economic activity status,
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment | 61.7 | 60.9 | 56.1 | 55.1 | 56.5 | 55.7 | 61.7%
60.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed | 3.5 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 4.0 | 2.9 | 3.5%
2.4% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: In employment | 2.5 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 2.5%
2.0% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.7%
0.6% |
| Economically inactive: Retired | 19.6 | 20.1 | 22.5 | 23.1 | 21.2 | 21.5 | 19.6%
20.1% |
| Economically inactive: Student | 3.9 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 3.9%
4.3% |
| Economically inactive: Looking after home or family | 3.4 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 3.4%
3.9% |
| Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled | 2.9 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 2.9%
3.0% |
| Economically inactive: Other | 1.9 | 2.8 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 3.1 | 1.9%
2.8% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
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West Northamptonshire stood out from other areas for working hours
The percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week fell in West Northamptonshire, but rose across England.
In West Northamptonshire, the percentage that worked 15 hours or less in a week fell from 9.4% in 2011 to 9.0% in 2021, while across England it rose from 9.7% to 10.3%. During the same period, the regional percentage remained at 9.8%.
The percentage of adults in employment who worked 49 hours or more in West Northamptonshire fell from 14.1% to 11.3%, while the percentage of adults in employment who worked 31 to 48 hours increased from 58.8% to 62.3%.
Working hours may have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less in West Northamptonshire decreased by 0.4 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 | 9.4 | 9.0 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.7 | 10.3 | 9.4%
9.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 to 30 hours worked | 17.8 | 17.4 | 19.9 | 19.8 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 17.8%
17.4% |
| 31 to 48 hours worked | 58.8 | 62.3 | 57.4 | 59.8 | 57.5 | 59.1 | 58.8%
62.3% |
| 49 or more hours worked | 14.1 | 11.3 | 12.9 | 10.6 | 13.3 | 11.1 | 14.1%
11.3% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
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Disability in West Northamptonshire
In 2021, 6.3% of West Northamptonshire residents were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. This figure decreased from 7.8% 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 10 people (9.7%) were identified as being disabled and limited a little, compared with 9.8% in 2011. The proportion of West Northamptonshire residents who were not disabled increased from 82.5% to 84.0%.
The decrease in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot in West Northamptonshire (1.5 percentage points) was similar to the decrease across the East Midlands (1.6 percentage points, from 9.3% to 7.7%). Across England, the proportion fell by 1.6 percentage points, from 9.1% to 7.5%.
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 West Northamptonshire decreased by 1.5 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by long-term health condition or illness,
| Disabled and limited a lot | 7.8 | 6.3 | 9.3 | 7.7 | 9.1 | 7.5 | 7.8%
6.3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled and limited a little | 9.8 | 9.7 | 10.6 | 10.7 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 9.8%
9.7% |
| Not disabled | 82.5 | 84.0 | 80.1 | 81.6 | 80.7 | 82.3 | 82.5%
84.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
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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.
How well do you know your area?
Digital Content Article | Released 2 December 2022
Test your knowledge of where you live with our Census quiz.
Contact
census.customerservices@ons.gov.ukTelephone: +44 1329 44 4972