/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000040/

The population passed 150,000

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of East Devon increased by 13.9%, from just under 132,500 in 2011 to around 150,800 in 2021.

This means East Devon's population saw the second-largest percentage increase in the South West, behind Tewkesbury (where the population increased by 15.8%). The population of the South West increased by 7.8%, while the population of England rose by 6.6%.

In 2021, East Devon was home to around 1.3 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 1.2 in 2011. This area was among the lowest 20% 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 East Devon than across the South West

Percentage population change, East Devon and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% South West ▲7.8% East Devon ▲13.9%
-2-0.50.5+2+8+16%

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

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Median age in East Devon

Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of East Devon increased by one year, from 49 to 50 years of age.

This area had a higher average (median) age than the South West as a whole in 2021 (44 years) 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 just over 4,100 (an increase of 22.7%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by around 450 (1.9% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 65 and 74 years increased by 1.1 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_East Devon_% 2021_East Devon_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in East Devon Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 4.8 4.7 2.9 3.1 2.2 2.4 4.8%
4.7%
75 to 84 years 9.7 10.6 6.6 7.6 5.5 6.1 9.7%
10.6%
65 to 74 years 13.7 14.8 10.1 11.7 8.6 9.8 13.7%
14.8%
50 to 64 years 21.4 21.2 19.6 20.4 18.1 19.4 21.4%
21.2%
35 to 49 years 18.5 15.9 20.6 17.9 21.3 19.4 18.5%
15.9%
25 to 34 years 7.9 9.5 11.4 12.1 13.5 13.6 7.9%
9.5%
20 to 24 years 4.2 4.1 6.3 5.8 6.8 6.0 4.2%
4.1%
16 to 19 years 4.4 3.7 5.0 4.4 5.1 4.6 4.4%
3.7%
10 to 15 years 6.5 6.1 6.8 6.7 7.0 7.2 6.5%
6.1%
5 to 9 years 4.5 5.1 5.2 5.5 5.6 5.9 4.5%
5.1%
4 years and under 4.4 4.3 5.6 4.8 6.3 5.4 4.4%
4.3%

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

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East Devon stood out from other areas for housing

The percentage of households in the social rented sector increased in East Devon, but fell across England.

In East Devon, the percentage of households in the social rented sector rose from 9.3% in 2011 to 10.3% in 2021, while across England it fell from 17.7% to 17.1%. During the same period, the regional percentage remained at 13.3%.

Private renting in East Devon increased from 13.6% to 16.0%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 75.0% to 72.2%.

The rate of social renting in East Devon increased by 1.0 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_East Devon_% 2021_East Devon_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in East Devon Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 75.0 72.2 67.4 65.9 63.3 61.3 75.0%
72.2%
Shared ownership 0.5 1.4 0.8 1.1 0.8 1.0 0.5%
1.4%
Social rented 9.3 10.3 13.3 13.3 17.7 17.1 9.3%
10.3%
Private rented 13.6 16.0 17.1 19.7 16.8 20.5 13.6%
16.0%
Lives rent free 1.5 0.1 1.4 0.1 1.3 0.1 1.5%
0.1%

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

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Disability in East Devon

The age-standardised proportion of non-disabled residents fell here, but rose across England.

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 East Devon, the proportion of non-disabled residents fell from 83.5% in 2011 to 82.9% in 2021, while across England it rose from 80.7% to 82.3%. During the same period, the regional proportion increased from 81.9% to 82.2%.

The percentage of people who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot in East Devon fell from 6.8% to 6.3%, while the percentage of people who were identified as being disabled and limited a little increased from 9.8% to 10.8%.

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 non-disabled residents in East Devon decreased by 0.6 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_East Devon_% 2021_East Devon_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in East Devon Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 6.8 6.3 8.1 7.0 9.1 7.5 6.8%
6.3%
Disabled and limited a little 9.8 10.8 10.1 10.8 10.2 10.2 9.8%
10.8%
Not disabled 83.5 82.9 81.9 82.2 80.7 82.3 83.5%
82.9%

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

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Religion in East Devon

In 2021, 41.9% of East Devon residents reported having "No religion", up from 25.1% in 2011. The rise of 16.8 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in East Devon. 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 West, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 29.3% to 44.1%, while across England the percentage increased from 24.8% to 36.7%.

In 2021, 50.1% of people in East Devon described themselves as Christian (down from 65.6%), while 6.5% did not state their religion (down from 8.2% 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, 41.9% of usual residents in East Devon reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_East Devon_% 2021_East Devon_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in East Devon Percentage in undefined
No religion 25.1 41.9 29.3 44.1 24.8 36.7 25.1%
41.9%
Christian 65.6 50.1 60.4 46.2 59.4 46.3 65.6%
50.1%
Buddhist 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.3%
0.3%
Hindu 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.5 1.5 1.8 0.0%
0.1%
Jewish 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.1%
0.1%
Muslim 0.2 0.3 1.0 1.4 5.0 6.7 0.2%
0.3%
Sikh 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.8 0.9 0.0%
0.0%
Other 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.5%
0.5%
Not answered 8.2 6.5 7.9 6.5 7.1 6.0 8.2%
6.5%

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

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Family in East Devon

East Devon saw the South West's joint second-largest percentage-point rise (alongside Torbay and Wiltshire) in the proportion of households including a couple with only non-dependent children (from 5.1% in 2011 to 5.7% in 2021).

Across the region, only Swindon saw a greater rise in the percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children (from 5.7% to 6.5%).

Despite the increase, East Devon was in the lowest 20% 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 East Devon increased by 0.6 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_East Devon_% 2021_East Devon_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in East Devon Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 18.3 17.7 13.8 14.6 12.4 12.8 18.3%
17.7%
One-person household: Other 12.6 12.3 16.5 15.7 17.9 17.3 12.6%
12.3%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 19.7 18.6 19.7 18.5 17.6 16.8 19.7%
18.6%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 16.5 16.5 18.6 17.9 19.3 18.9 16.5%
16.5%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 5.1 5.7 5.6 5.9 6.1 6.3 5.1%
5.7%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 7.4 7.7 8.9 9.1 10.6 11.1 7.4%
7.7%
Other household types 20.4 21.5 16.9 18.3 16.1 16.9 20.4%
21.5%

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

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Unpaid care in East Devon

East Devon saw the South West's joint third-largest percentage-point fall (alongside South Gloucestershire, Dorset and Somerset West and Taunton) in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care (from 8.1% in 2011 to 5.0% 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 Stroud (from 8.4% to 5.0%) and Cotswold (from 7.6% to 4.3%) 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 South 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 7.5% to 4.7%.

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 East Devon 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,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_East Devon_% 2021_East Devon_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in East Devon Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 88.4 90.7 88.6 91.0 88.7 91.1 88.4%
90.7%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 8.1 5.0 7.5 4.7 7.2 4.4 8.1%
5.0%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 1.3 1.7 1.4 1.7 1.5 1.8 1.3%
1.7%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 2.3 2.6 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.3%
2.6%

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

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East Devon residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 136,800 East Devon residents said they were born in England. This represented 90.7% of the local population. The figure has risen from around 121,300 in 2011, which at the time represented 91.5% of East Devon's population.

Wales was the next most represented, with just under 2,300 East Devon residents reporting this country of birth (1.5%). This figure has remained relatively unchanged from 2011.

The number of East Devon residents born in Scotland remained close to 1,900 between the last two census (from 1.4% of the local population in 2011 to 1.3% in 2021)

In 2021, 90.7% of East Devon residents reported their country of birth as England

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_East Devon_% 2021_East Devon_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in East Devon Percentage in undefined
England 91.5 90.7 88.6 86.4 83.5 80.3 91.5%
90.7%
Wales 1.7 1.5 2.0 1.8 1.0 0.8 1.7%
1.5%
Scotland 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.2 1.3 1.1 1.4%
1.3%
Germany 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.5%
0.5%
Countries that joined the EU between April 2001 and March 2011 (other than Poland, Croatia, Lithuania and Romania) 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.7 0.7 1.0 0.3%
0.5%

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

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Unemployment in East Devon

In 2021, 1.7% of East Devon residents (aged 16 years and over) said they were unemployed. This figure decreased from 2.0% in 2011.

In 2021, just over one in two people (51.3%) said they were employed (excluding full-time students), compared with 52.4% in 2011. The percentage of retired East Devon residents decreased from 34.6% to 34.2%.

This area had the region’s joint second lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were unemployed (alongside Mid Devon and South Hams). Across the region, only Isles of Scilly, with 0.8%, had a lower percentage.

Because of its small size, comparisons to Isles of Scilly should be made with caution.

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 unemployed (excluding full-time students) in East Devon decreased by 0.3 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_East Devon_% 2021_East Devon_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in East Devon Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 52.4 51.3 56.9 55.3 56.5 55.7 52.4%
51.3%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 2.0 1.7 2.9 2.1 4.0 2.9 2.0%
1.7%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 1.6 1.1 2.3 1.6 2.4 1.7 1.6%
1.1%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.2%
0.2%
Economically inactive: Retired 34.6 34.2 24.7 25.6 21.2 21.5 34.6%
34.2%
Economically inactive: Student 2.4 2.9 4.3 5.0 5.3 5.6 2.4%
2.9%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 2.8 3.4 3.3 3.7 4.0 4.8 2.8%
3.4%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 2.5 3.0 3.3 3.7 3.8 4.1 2.5%
3.0%
Economically inactive: Other 1.4 2.2 1.7 2.5 2.2 3.1 1.4%
2.2%

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

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Health in East Devon

In 2021, 50.9% of East Devon residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 48.6% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 35.1% to 33.8%. 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 East Devon residents describing their health as "very bad" was 0.8% (similar to 2011), while those describing their health as "bad" remained 3.2%.

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.

In 2021, 3.2% of usual residents said their health was bad in East Devon

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_East Devon_% 2021_East Devon_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in East Devon Percentage in undefined
Very good health 48.6 50.9 46.8 48.7 45.0 47.5 48.6%
50.9%
Good health 35.1 33.8 34.8 34.1 34.8 34.2 35.1%
33.8%
Fair health 12.2 11.3 13.3 12.5 14.2 13.0 12.2%
11.3%
Bad health 3.2 3.2 4.0 3.7 4.6 4.1 3.2%
3.2%
Very bad health 0.9 0.8 1.1 1.1 1.4 1.2 0.9%
0.8%

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

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Fewer adults working long hours

In 2021, 12.0% of East Devon residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked over 49 hours per week. This figure decreased from 15.1% in 2011.

In 2021, around one in eight people (12.5%) said they worked 15 hours or less per week, compared with 12.0% in 2011. The percentage of adults in employment working 31 to 48 hours per week increased from 50.3% to 52.7%.

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 East Devon (3.1 percentage points) than across the South West (2.5 percentage points, from 13.3% to 10.8%). 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 East Devon decreased by 3.1 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_East Devon_% 2021_East Devon_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in East Devon Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 12.0 12.5 10.8 11.3 9.7 10.3 12.0%
12.5%
16 to 30 hours worked 22.6 22.8 20.7 21.0 19.5 19.5 22.6%
22.8%
31 to 48 hours worked 50.3 52.7 55.2 57.0 57.5 59.1 50.3%
52.7%
49 or more hours worked 15.1 12.0 13.3 10.8 13.3 11.1 15.1%
12.0%

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

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National identity in East Devon

In 2021, 3.3% of East Devon residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 2.2% in 2011.

In 2021, 1.3% of residents identified with a UK and non-UK national identity, compared with 0.4% in 2011. The percentage of residents in East Devon that identified as "British only" increased from 15.2% to 55.8%.

The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK was greater across the South West (1.7 percentage points, from 4.4% to 6.1%) than in East Devon (1.1 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 East Devon increased by 1.1 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_East Devon_% 2021_East Devon_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in East Devon Percentage in undefined
British only identity 15.2 55.8 16.0 55.5 19.2 56.8 15.2%
55.8%
Welsh only identity 0.9 0.6 1.1 0.8 0.6 0.3 0.9%
0.6%
Welsh and British only identity 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2%
0.2%
English only identity 68.4 20.2 64.5 16.9 60.4 15.3 68.4%
20.2%
English and British only identity 11.3 17.4 10.2 15.9 9.1 14.3 11.3%
17.4%
Any other combination of only UK identities 1.5 1.2 2.9 2.8 1.6 1.1 1.5%
1.2%
Non-UK identity only 2.2 3.3 4.4 6.1 8.2 10.0 2.2%
3.3%
UK identity and non-UK identity 0.4 1.3 0.6 1.6 0.9 2.0 0.4%
1.3%

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

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More adults never married or in a civil partnership

Of East Devon residents aged 16 years and over, 27.7% said they had never been married or in a civil partnership in 2021, up from 23.7% in 2011.

In 2021, just over one in two people (51.8%) said they were married or in a registered civil partnership, compared with 54.6% in 2011. The percentage of adults in East Devon that had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership increased from 9.8% to 10.4%.

The increase in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership was greater in East Devon (3.9 percentage points) than across the South West (3.5 percentage points, from 31.1% to 34.7%). 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 East Devon increased by 3.9 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_East Devon_% 2021_East Devon_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in East Devon Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 23.7 27.7 31.1 34.7 34.6 37.9 23.7%
27.7%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 54.6 51.8 49.2 46.5 46.8 44.7 54.6%
51.8%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 2.1 2.0 2.3 2.1 2.7 2.2 2.1%
2.0%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 9.8 10.4 9.8 10.1 9.0 9.1 9.8%
10.4%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 9.9 8.1 7.5 6.6 6.9 6.1 9.9%
8.1%

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

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Ethnic groups in East Devon

In 2021, 1.1% of East Devon residents identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category, up from 0.7% in 2011. The 0.5 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.

Across the South West, the percentage of people from "Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups" increased from 1.4% to 2.0%, while across England the percentage increased from 2.3% to 3.0%.

In 2021, 97.4% of people in East Devon identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 98.4% in 2011), while 1.0% identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category (compared with 0.7% 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, 1.1% of usual residents in East Devon identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_East Devon_% 2021_East Devon_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in East Devon Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 0.7 1.0 2.0 2.8 7.8 9.6 0.7%
1.0%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 0.1 0.2 0.9 1.2 3.5 4.2 0.1%
0.2%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 0.7 1.1 1.4 2.0 2.3 3.0 0.7%
1.1%
White 98.4 97.4 95.4 93.1 85.4 81.0 98.4%
97.4%
Other ethnic groups 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.9 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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Download the data used in this article

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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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