/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000031/

The population grew very little

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of South Lakeland increased by just 0.8%, from around 103,700 in 2011 to around 104,500 in 2021.

The population here increased by a smaller percentage than the overall population of the North West (5.2%), and by a smaller percentage than the overall population of England (up 6.6% since the 2011 Census).

In 2021, South Lakeland was home to around 0.5 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. This area was the second-least densely populated local authority area across the North West (after Eden).

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 lower in South Lakeland than across the North West

Percentage population change, South Lakeland and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% North West ▲5.2% South Lakeland ▲0.8%
-2-0.50.5+2+8+16%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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An older South Lakeland

Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of South Lakeland increased by three years, from 48 to 51 years of age.

This area had the highest average (median) age in the North West and a higher 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 65 to 74 years rose by around 2,100 (an increase of 15.7%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by just under 3,800 (18.2% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 65 and 74 years increased by 1.9 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

Percentage of usual residents by age group,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Lakeland_% 2021_South Lakeland_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Lakeland Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 3.4 3.9 2.1 2.3 2.2 2.4 3.4%
3.9%
75 to 84 years 8.1 9.7 5.6 6.2 5.5 6.1 8.1%
9.7%
65 to 74 years 12.7 14.6 8.9 10.2 8.6 9.8 12.7%
14.6%
50 to 64 years 22.8 23.7 18.6 19.8 18.1 19.4 22.8%
23.7%
35 to 49 years 20.1 16.4 21.1 18.7 21.3 19.4 20.1%
16.4%
25 to 34 years 9.0 9.8 12.7 13.2 13.5 13.6 9.0%
9.8%
20 to 24 years 4.1 4.0 6.9 6.1 6.8 6.0 4.1%
4.0%
16 to 19 years 4.4 3.9 5.2 4.6 5.1 4.6 4.4%
3.9%
10 to 15 years 6.5 6.1 7.1 7.3 7.0 7.2 6.5%
6.1%
5 to 9 years 4.6 4.3 5.6 6.0 5.6 5.9 4.6%
4.3%
4 years and under 4.3 3.8 6.1 5.5 6.3 5.4 4.3%
3.8%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Family in South Lakeland

South Lakeland saw the North West's largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of households including a couple with only non-dependent children (from 5.4% in 2011 to 6.2% in 2021).

Eden saw the North West's next largest increase in the percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children (from 6.4% in 2011 to 7.0% in 2021).

Despite the increase, South Lakeland was in the lowest 35% of English local authority areas for the share of households including a couple with only non-dependent children in 2021.

The percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children in South Lakeland increased by 0.8 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Lakeland_% 2021_South Lakeland_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Lakeland Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 16.3 17.3 12.8 13.3 12.4 12.8 16.3%
17.3%
One-person household: Other 16.1 15.2 19.4 18.8 17.9 17.3 16.1%
15.2%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 21.6 20.2 16.5 16.0 17.6 16.8 21.6%
20.2%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 16.8 15.3 18.4 18.0 19.3 18.9 16.8%
15.3%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 5.4 6.2 6.5 6.5 6.1 6.3 5.4%
6.2%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 6.6 6.8 12.0 12.1 10.6 11.1 6.6%
6.8%
Other household types 17.1 18.9 14.3 15.2 16.1 16.9 17.1%
18.9%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Fall in employment

South Lakeland saw the North West's second-largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed (from 57.5% in 2011 to 54.6% in 2021).

Across the region, only Eden saw a greater fall in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed (from 61.1% to 57.4%).

Across the North West, the percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed fell from 54.2% to 53.7%, while the percentage in nearby Eden fell from 61.1% to 57.4%.

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 South Lakeland decreased by 3.0 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over by economic activity status,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Lakeland_% 2021_South Lakeland_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Lakeland Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 57.5 54.6 54.2 53.7 56.5 55.7 57.5%
54.6%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 1.7 1.4 4.2 2.8 4.0 2.9 1.7%
1.4%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 1.9 1.3 2.4 1.7 2.4 1.7 1.9%
1.3%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 0.2 0.3 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.2%
0.3%
Economically inactive: Retired 30.2 32.0 22.2 22.2 21.2 21.5 30.2%
32.0%
Economically inactive: Student 2.6 3.0 5.1 5.6 5.3 5.6 2.6%
3.0%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 2.0 2.6 3.6 4.7 4.0 4.8 2.0%
2.6%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 2.4 2.5 5.3 5.3 3.8 4.1 2.4%
2.5%
Economically inactive: Other 1.3 2.3 2.2 3.3 2.2 3.1 1.3%
2.3%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Fewer adults working long hours

South Lakeland saw the North West's largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week (from 15.0% in 2011 to 12.0% in 2021).

Eden saw the North West's next largest decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week (from 20.5% in 2011 to 17.6% in 2021).

Every local authority area across the North West saw a fall in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week, as the regional percentage fell from 10.9% to 9.1%.

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 South Lakeland decreased by 3.0 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over and in employment by the number of hours worked per week,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Lakeland_% 2021_South Lakeland_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Lakeland Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 11.7 13.2 9.1 9.6 9.7 10.3 11.7%
13.2%
16 to 30 hours worked 20.8 21.5 20.8 20.3 19.5 19.5 20.8%
21.5%
31 to 48 hours worked 52.5 53.2 59.2 61.0 57.5 59.1 52.5%
53.2%
49 or more hours worked 15.0 12.0 10.9 9.1 13.3 11.1 15.0%
12.0%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Disability in South Lakeland

In 2021, 5.6% of South Lakeland residents were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. This figure decreased from 6.8% 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 (9.8%) were identified as being disabled and limited a little, compared with 9.4% in 2011. The proportion of South Lakeland residents who were not disabled increased from 83.8% to 84.6%.

This area had the region’s second lowest proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. Across the region, only Ribble Valley, with 5.4%, had a lower proportion.

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 South Lakeland decreased by 1.2 percentage points

Age-standardised proportion of usual residents by long-term health condition or illness,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Lakeland_% 2021_South Lakeland_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Lakeland Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 6.8 5.6 11.2 9.1 9.1 7.5 6.8%
5.6%
Disabled and limited a little 9.4 9.8 10.7 10.7 10.2 10.2 9.4%
9.8%
Not disabled 83.8 84.6 78.1 80.2 80.7 82.3 83.8%
84.6%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Unpaid care in South Lakeland

South Lakeland saw the North West's third-largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care (from 8.0% in 2011 to 4.7% 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 Pendle (from 7.9% to 4.2%) and Ribble Valley (from 8.4% to 5.0%) saw a greater decrease in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care.

Every local authority area across the North West saw a fall in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care, as the regional proportion fell from 7.2% to 4.5%.

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 South Lakeland decreased by 3.3 percentage points

Age-standardised proportion of usual residents (aged five years and over) by hours per week of unpaid care provision,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Lakeland_% 2021_South Lakeland_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Lakeland Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 88.7 91.8 87.9 90.3 88.7 91.1 88.7%
91.8%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 8.0 4.7 7.2 4.5 7.2 4.4 8.0%
4.7%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 1.2 1.4 1.7 2.1 1.5 1.8 1.2%
1.4%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 2.1 2.1 3.2 3.1 2.7 2.7 2.1%
2.1%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Religion in South Lakeland

In 2021, 37.4% of South Lakeland residents reported having "No religion", up from 23.1% in 2011. The rise of 14.4 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in South Lakeland. 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 North West, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 19.8% to 32.6%, while across England the percentage increased from 24.8% to 36.7%.

In 2021, 54.9% of people in South Lakeland described themselves as Christian (down from 68.1%), while 6.3% did not state their religion (down from 7.7% 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, 37.4% of usual residents in South Lakeland reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Lakeland_% 2021_South Lakeland_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Lakeland Percentage in undefined
No religion 23.1 37.4 19.8 32.6 24.8 36.7 23.1%
37.4%
Christian 68.1 54.9 67.3 52.5 59.4 46.3 68.1%
54.9%
Buddhist 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.4%
0.5%
Hindu 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.7 1.5 1.8 0.1%
0.1%
Jewish 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.1%
0.1%
Muslim 0.2 0.3 5.1 7.6 5.0 6.7 0.2%
0.3%
Sikh 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.8 0.9 0.0%
0.0%
Other 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.4%
0.4%
Not answered 7.7 6.3 6.2 5.3 7.1 6.0 7.7%
6.3%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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South Lakeland residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 94,600 South Lakeland residents said they were born in England. This represented 90.6% of the local population. The figure has decreased from just over 95,000 in 2011, which at the time represented 91.7% of South Lakeland's population.

Scotland was the next most represented, with just over 2,200 South Lakeland residents reporting this country of birth (2.1%). This figure was down from just over 2,300 in 2011, which at the time represented 2.2% of the population of South Lakeland.

The number of South Lakeland residents born in Poland rose from around 750 in 2011 (0.7% of the local population) to just under 950 in 2021 (0.9%).

In 2021, 90.6% of South Lakeland residents reported their country of birth as England

Percentage of usual residents by country of birth,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Lakeland_% 2021_South Lakeland_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Lakeland Percentage in undefined
England 91.7 90.6 89.0 85.7 83.5 80.3 91.7%
90.6%
Scotland 2.2 2.1 1.4 1.2 1.3 1.1 2.2%
2.1%
Poland 0.7 0.9 0.7 1.0 1.1 1.3 0.7%
0.9%
Wales 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 1.0 0.8 0.8%
0.8%
Countries that joined the EU between April 2001 and March 2011 (other than Poland, Croatia, Lithuania and Romania) 0.4 0.7 0.4 0.6 0.7 1.0 0.4%
0.7%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
Notes:
  1. This chart shows the five most common countries of birth in South Lakeland in 2021
  2. Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings

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Health in South Lakeland

In 2021, 52.6% of South Lakeland residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 50.4% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 33.9% to 33.2%. 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 South Lakeland residents describing their health as "very bad" remained 0.8%, while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 3.1% to 2.8%.

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 bad health in South Lakeland decreased by 0.3 percentage points

Age-standardised proportion of usual residents by self-reported health,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Lakeland_% 2021_South Lakeland_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Lakeland Percentage in undefined
Very good health 50.4 52.6 44.4 46.8 45.0 47.5 50.4%
52.6%
Good health 33.9 33.2 33.3 33.2 34.8 34.2 33.9%
33.2%
Fair health 11.8 10.7 15.0 13.7 14.2 13.0 11.8%
10.7%
Bad health 3.1 2.8 5.7 4.9 4.6 4.1 3.1%
2.8%
Very bad health 0.8 0.8 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.2 0.8%
0.8%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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National identity in South Lakeland

In 2021, 4.1% of South Lakeland residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 2.9% in 2011.

In 2021, 1.2% of residents identified with a UK and non-UK national identity, compared with 0.4% in 2011. The percentage of residents in South Lakeland that identified as "British only" increased from 17.2% to 58.5%.

The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK was greater across the North West (2.3 percentage points, from 4.7% to 7.1%) than in South Lakeland (1.2 percentage points). 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 South Lakeland increased by 1.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents by national identity,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Lakeland_% 2021_South Lakeland_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Lakeland Percentage in undefined
British only identity 17.2 58.5 16.9 58.9 19.2 56.8 17.2%
58.5%
Welsh only identity 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.3 0.4%
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 64.8 17.3 65.9 15.0 60.4 15.3 64.8%
17.3%
English and British only identity 12.2 16.9 9.9 16.1 9.1 14.3 12.2%
16.9%
Any other combination of only UK identities 2.0 1.5 1.5 1.1 1.6 1.1 2.0%
1.5%
Non-UK identity only 2.9 4.1 4.7 7.1 8.2 10.0 2.9%
4.1%
UK identity and non-UK identity 0.4 1.2 0.5 1.3 0.9 2.0 0.4%
1.2%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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More adults never married or in a civil partnership

Of South Lakeland residents aged 16 years and over, 29.5% said they had never been married or in a civil partnership in 2021, up from 26.1% in 2011.

In 2021, just over one in two people (51.3%) said they were married or in a registered civil partnership, compared with 54.1% in 2011. The percentage of adults in South Lakeland that had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership increased from 9.2% to 9.5%.

This area had the region’s third lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership. Across the region, only Ribble Valley (28.9%) and Fylde (29.3%) had a lower percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in 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 never married or registered a civil partnership in South Lakeland increased by 3.4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over by legal partnership status,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Lakeland_% 2021_South Lakeland_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Lakeland Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 26.1 29.5 35.6 39.4 34.6 37.9 26.1%
29.5%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 54.1 51.3 45.0 42.7 46.8 44.7 54.1%
51.3%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 1.8 1.7 2.7 2.3 2.7 2.2 1.8%
1.7%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 9.2 9.5 9.3 9.1 9.0 9.1 9.2%
9.5%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 8.8 8.0 7.5 6.5 6.9 6.1 8.8%
8.0%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Change in housing in South Lakeland

Of South Lakeland households, 71.9% owned their home in 2021, down from 73.0% in 2011.

In 2021, just under one in six households (16.7%) rented privately, compared with 14.2% in 2011. The percentage of South Lakeland households that lived in a socially rented property increased from 10.4% to 10.7%.

The decrease in the percentage of households that owned their home was greater across the North West (2.2 percentage points, from 64.5% to 62.3%) than in South Lakeland (1.1 percentage points). Across England, the percentage fell by 2.0 percentage points, from 63.3% to 61.3%.

The rate of home ownership in South Lakeland decreased by 1.1 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Lakeland_% 2021_South Lakeland_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Lakeland Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 73.0 71.9 64.5 62.3 63.3 61.3 73.0%
71.9%
Shared ownership 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.8 1.0 0.5%
0.6%
Social rented 10.4 10.7 18.3 17.6 17.7 17.1 10.4%
10.7%
Private rented 14.2 16.7 15.4 19.2 16.8 20.5 14.2%
16.7%
Lives rent free 1.9 0.1 1.3 0.1 1.3 0.1 1.9%
0.1%

Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021

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Ethnic groups in South Lakeland

In 2021, 1.0% of South Lakeland residents identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category, up from 0.6% in 2011. The 0.4 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.

Across the North West, the percentage of people from "Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups" increased from 1.6% to 2.2%, while across England the percentage increased from 2.3% to 3.0%.

In 2021, 97.7% of people in South Lakeland identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 98.4% in 2011), while 0.8% identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category (also 0.8% the previous decade).

The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Other" category ("Arab" or "Any other ethnic group") increased from 0.1% in 2011 to 0.3% 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, 1.0% of usual residents in South Lakeland identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category

Percentage of usual residents by ethnic group,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Lakeland_% 2021_South Lakeland_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Lakeland Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 0.8 0.8 6.2 8.4 7.8 9.6 0.8%
0.8%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 0.2 0.2 1.4 2.3 3.5 4.2 0.2%
0.2%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 0.6 1.0 1.6 2.2 2.3 3.0 0.6%
1.0%
White 98.4 97.7 90.2 85.6 85.4 81.0 98.4%
97.7%
Other ethnic groups 0.1 0.3 0.6 1.5 1.0 2.2 0.1%
0.3%

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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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.

All versions of this article

Related links

Census 2021 topic summaries

Supporting information | Released 2 November 2022

What topic summary data for Census 2021 will be available and how to view them.

Census maps

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.uk

Telephone: +44 1329 44 4972

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