/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000081/

The population passed 130,000

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Gloucester increased by 8.8%, from just under 121,700 in 2011 to around 132,400 in 2021.

The population here increased by a greater percentage than the overall population of the South West (7.8%), and by a greater percentage than the overall population of England (up 6.6% since the 2011 Census).

In 2021, Gloucester was home to around 23.3 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 21.4 in 2011. This area was the third-most densely populated local authority area across the South West (after Bristol and Plymouth).

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 Gloucester than across the South West

Percentage population change, Gloucester and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% South West ▲7.8% Gloucester ▲8.8%
-2-0.50.5+2+8+16%

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

Save as image (PNG <200KB) | Download the data (CSV <100KB) |

Median age in Gloucester

Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of Gloucester increased by one year, from 38 to 39 years of age.

This area had a lower average (median) age than the South West as a whole in 2021 (44 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 around 4,600 (an increase of 21.8%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by around 850 (3.3% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 50 and 64 years increased by 2.1 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Gloucester_% 2021_Gloucester_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Gloucester Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 2.1 2.3 2.9 3.1 2.2 2.4 2.1%
2.3%
75 to 84 years 5.0 5.6 6.6 7.6 5.5 6.1 5.0%
5.6%
65 to 74 years 7.8 8.8 10.1 11.7 8.6 9.8 7.8%
8.8%
50 to 64 years 17.4 19.5 19.6 20.4 18.1 19.4 17.4%
19.5%
35 to 49 years 21.9 19.4 20.6 17.9 21.3 19.4 21.9%
19.4%
25 to 34 years 13.9 14.1 11.4 12.1 13.5 13.6 13.9%
14.1%
20 to 24 years 6.9 6.4 6.3 5.8 6.8 6.0 6.9%
6.4%
16 to 19 years 5.2 4.6 5.0 4.4 5.1 4.6 5.2%
4.6%
10 to 15 years 7.2 7.3 6.8 6.7 7.0 7.2 7.2%
7.3%
5 to 9 years 5.8 6.3 5.2 5.5 5.6 5.9 5.8%
6.3%
4 years and under 6.8 5.6 5.6 4.8 6.3 5.4 6.8%
5.6%

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

| |

Rise in private renting

Gloucester saw the South West's joint second-largest percentage-point rise (alongside Exeter) in the proportion of privately-rented homes (from 17.4% in 2011 to 21.3% in 2021).

Across the region, only Isles of Scilly saw a greater rise in the percentage of privately-rented homes (from 29.7% to 36.6%).

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

Every local authority area across the South West saw a rise in the percentage of privately-rented homes, as the regional percentage grew from 17.1% to 19.7%.

Private renting in Gloucester increased by 3.9 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Gloucester_% 2021_Gloucester_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Gloucester Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 67.2 63.9 67.4 65.9 63.3 61.3 67.2%
63.9%
Shared ownership 1.1 1.1 0.8 1.1 0.8 1.0 1.1%
1.1%
Social rented 13.3 13.6 13.3 13.3 17.7 17.1 13.3%
13.6%
Private rented 17.4 21.3 17.1 19.7 16.8 20.5 17.4%
21.3%
Lives rent free 1.0 0.1 1.4 0.1 1.3 0.1 1.0%
0.1%

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

| |

Gloucester residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 108,800 Gloucester residents said they were born in England. This represented 82.2% of the local population. The figure has risen from around 104,100 in 2011, which at the time represented 85.6% of Gloucester's population.

Poland was the next most represented, with around 3,000 Gloucester residents reporting this country of birth (2.2%). This figure was up from around 1,900 in 2011, which at the time represented 1.6% of the population of Gloucester.

The number of Gloucester residents born in Wales fell from around 2,900 in 2011 (2.4% of the local population) to just over 2,800 in 2021 (2.1%).

In 2021, 82.2% of Gloucester residents reported their country of birth as England

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Gloucester_% 2021_Gloucester_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Gloucester Percentage in undefined
England 85.6 82.2 88.6 86.4 83.5 80.3 85.6%
82.2%
Poland 1.6 2.2 0.9 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.6%
2.2%
Wales 2.4 2.1 2.0 1.8 1.0 0.8 2.4%
2.1%
India 1.2 1.6 0.5 0.7 1.3 1.6 1.2%
1.6%
Countries that joined the EU between April 2001 and March 2011 (other than Poland, Croatia, Lithuania and Romania) 0.8 1.6 0.4 0.7 0.7 1.0 0.8%
1.6%

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

| |

Fall in unemployment

Gloucester saw the South West's joint largest percentage-point fall (alongside Bristol and Plymouth) in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were unemployed (from 3.9% in 2011 to 2.5% in 2021).

Torbay saw the South West's next largest decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were unemployed (from 3.9% in 2011 to 2.6% in 2021).

Every local authority area across the South West saw a fall in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were unemployed, as the regional percentage fell from 2.9% to 2.1%.

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 Gloucester decreased by 1.4 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Gloucester_% 2021_Gloucester_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Gloucester Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 60.8 59.6 56.9 55.3 56.5 55.7 60.8%
59.6%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 3.9 2.5 2.9 2.1 4.0 2.9 3.9%
2.5%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 2.4 1.8 2.3 1.6 2.4 1.7 2.4%
1.8%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.6%
0.7%
Economically inactive: Retired 19.2 19.8 24.7 25.6 21.2 21.5 19.2%
19.8%
Economically inactive: Student 3.8 4.4 4.3 5.0 5.3 5.6 3.8%
4.4%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 3.6 4.1 3.3 3.7 4.0 4.8 3.6%
4.1%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 3.8 4.3 3.3 3.7 3.8 4.1 3.8%
4.3%
Economically inactive: Other 1.9 3.0 1.7 2.5 2.2 3.1 1.9%
3.0%

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

| |

Fewer adults working long hours

In 2021, 8.4% of Gloucester residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked over 49 hours per week. This figure decreased from 10.1% in 2011.

The percentage who said they worked 15 hours or less per week remained at 9.1%, while the percentage of adults in employment working 31 to 48 hours per week increased from 60.5% to 61.8%.

This area had the region’s lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week. Swindon had the South West's next lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week (8.5%), while Isles of Scilly had the region's highest percentage (15.4%).

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 Gloucester decreased by 1.6 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_Gloucester_% 2021_Gloucester_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Gloucester Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 9.1 9.1 10.8 11.3 9.7 10.3 9.1%
9.1%
16 to 30 hours worked 20.4 20.7 20.7 21.0 19.5 19.5 20.4%
20.7%
31 to 48 hours worked 60.5 61.8 55.2 57.0 57.5 59.1 60.5%
61.8%
49 or more hours worked 10.1 8.4 13.3 10.8 13.3 11.1 10.1%
8.4%

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

| |

Disability in Gloucester

Gloucester saw the South West's joint second-largest percentage-point fall (alongside Swindon) in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot (from 8.9% in 2011 to 7.4% 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 Bristol saw a greater fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot (from 10.2% to 8.3%).

Every local authority area across the South West saw a fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot, as the regional proportion fell from 8.1% to 7.0%.

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 Gloucester decreased by 1.5 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Gloucester_% 2021_Gloucester_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Gloucester Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 8.9 7.4 8.1 7.0 9.1 7.5 8.9%
7.4%
Disabled and limited a little 10.5 10.8 10.1 10.8 10.2 10.2 10.5%
10.8%
Not disabled 80.7 81.8 81.9 82.2 80.7 82.3 80.7%
81.8%

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

| |

Ethnic groups in Gloucester

In 2021, 6.5% of Gloucester residents identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category, up from 4.8% in 2011. The 1.7 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.

Across the South West, the percentage of people from the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" ethnic group increased from 2.0% to 2.8%, while across England the percentage increased from 7.8% to 9.6%.

In 2021, 84.9% of people in Gloucester identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 89.1% in 2011), while 3.8% identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category (compared with 2.9% the previous decade).

The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category increased from 2.9% in 2011 to 3.6% 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, 6.5% of usual residents in Gloucester identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Gloucester_% 2021_Gloucester_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Gloucester Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 4.8 6.5 2.0 2.8 7.8 9.6 4.8%
6.5%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 2.9 3.6 0.9 1.2 3.5 4.2 2.9%
3.6%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 2.9 3.8 1.4 2.0 2.3 3.0 2.9%
3.8%
White 89.1 84.9 95.4 93.1 85.4 81.0 89.1%
84.9%
Other ethnic groups 0.3 1.2 0.3 0.9 1.0 2.2 0.3%
1.2%

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

| |

More lone parents

Gloucester saw the South West's third-largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of lone-parent households (from 10.2% in 2011 to 11.3% in 2021).

Across the region, only Isles of Scilly (from 3.4% to 5.6%) and Tewkesbury (from 7.6% to 9.1%) saw a greater increase in the percentage of lone-parent households.

Across the South West, the percentage of lone-parent households increased from 8.9% to 9.1%, while the percentage in nearby Tewkesbury increased from 7.6% to 9.1%.

The percentage of households including a lone parent in Gloucester increased by 1.1 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Gloucester_% 2021_Gloucester_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Gloucester Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 11.3 11.6 13.8 14.6 12.4 12.8 11.3%
11.6%
One-person household: Other 17.9 18.6 16.5 15.7 17.9 17.3 17.9%
18.6%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 18.7 17.7 19.7 18.5 17.6 16.8 18.7%
17.7%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 21.2 19.4 18.6 17.9 19.3 18.9 21.2%
19.4%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 6.0 6.5 5.6 5.9 6.1 6.3 6.0%
6.5%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 10.2 11.3 8.9 9.1 10.6 11.1 10.2%
11.3%
Other household types 14.7 14.9 16.9 18.3 16.1 16.9 14.7%
14.9%

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

| |

Marriage and civil partnership in Gloucester

Gloucester saw the South West's joint third-largest percentage-point fall (alongside Sedgemoor and South Somerset) in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over who were married (or in a civil partnership) (from 46.8% in 2011 to 43.4% in 2021).

Across the region, only South Gloucestershire (from 52.1% to 47.9%) and Forest of Dean (from 53.4% to 49.6%) saw a greater decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were married (or in a civil partnership).

Across the South West, the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were married (or in a civil partnership) fell from 49.2% to 46.5%, while the percentage in nearby Tewkesbury fell from 54.6% to 51.3%.

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 were married or in a civil partnership in Gloucester decreased by 3.4 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Gloucester_% 2021_Gloucester_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Gloucester Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 34.1 38.9 31.1 34.7 34.6 37.9 34.1%
38.9%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 46.8 43.4 49.2 46.5 46.8 44.7 46.8%
43.4%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 2.7 2.2 2.3 2.1 2.7 2.2 2.7%
2.2%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 10.0 9.9 9.8 10.1 9.0 9.1 10.0%
9.9%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 6.4 5.5 7.5 6.6 6.9 6.1 6.4%
5.5%

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

| |

Unpaid care in Gloucester

In 2021, 4.3% of Gloucester 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.

This area had the region’s joint second lowest proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care (alongside Cotswold). Across the region, only Swindon, with 4.2%, had a lower proportion.

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 Gloucester decreased by 3.0 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_Gloucester_% 2021_Gloucester_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Gloucester Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 88.7 91.3 88.6 91.0 88.7 91.1 88.7%
91.3%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 7.3 4.3 7.5 4.7 7.2 4.4 7.3%
4.3%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 1.4 1.8 1.4 1.7 1.5 1.8 1.4%
1.8%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 2.7 2.5 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.7%
2.5%

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

| |

Religion in Gloucester

In 2021, 39.7% of Gloucester residents reported having "No religion", up from 26.2% in 2011. The rise of 13.5 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in Gloucester. 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, 47.7% of people in Gloucester described themselves as Christian (down from 62.4%), while 6.0% did not state their religion (down from 6.9% 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, 39.7% of usual residents in Gloucester reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Gloucester_% 2021_Gloucester_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Gloucester Percentage in undefined
No religion 26.2 39.7 29.3 44.1 24.8 36.7 26.2%
39.7%
Christian 62.4 47.7 60.4 46.2 59.4 46.3 62.4%
47.7%
Buddhist 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.3%
0.3%
Hindu 0.6 1.0 0.3 0.5 1.5 1.8 0.6%
1.0%
Jewish 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.0%
0.0%
Muslim 3.2 4.7 1.0 1.4 5.0 6.7 3.2%
4.7%
Sikh 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.8 0.9 0.1%
0.2%
Other 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.4%
0.5%
Not answered 6.9 6.0 7.9 6.5 7.1 6.0 6.9%
6.0%

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

| |

Health in Gloucester

In 2021, 44.9% of Gloucester residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 43.3% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 36.2% to 35.9%. 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 Gloucester residents describing their health as "very bad" was 1.1% (similar to 2011), while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 4.4% to 4.2%.

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.

The percentage of people in very bad health in Gloucester decreased by 0.2 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Gloucester_% 2021_Gloucester_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Gloucester Percentage in undefined
Very good health 43.3 44.9 46.8 48.7 45.0 47.5 43.3%
44.9%
Good health 36.2 35.9 34.8 34.1 34.8 34.2 36.2%
35.9%
Fair health 14.8 13.8 13.3 12.5 14.2 13.0 14.8%
13.8%
Bad health 4.4 4.2 4.0 3.7 4.6 4.1 4.4%
4.2%
Very bad health 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.4 1.2 1.3%
1.1%

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

| |

National identity in Gloucester

In 2021, 8.3% of Gloucester residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 6.4% in 2011.

In 2021, 1.6% of residents identified with a UK and non-UK national identity, compared with 0.5% in 2011. The percentage of residents in Gloucester that identified as "British only" increased from 16.0% to 55.3%.

The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK was greater in Gloucester (2.0 percentage points) than across the South West (1.7 percentage points, from 4.4% to 6.1%). 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 Gloucester increased by 2.0 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Gloucester_% 2021_Gloucester_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Gloucester Percentage in undefined
British only identity 16.0 55.3 16.0 55.5 19.2 56.8 16.0%
55.3%
Welsh only identity 1.5 1.0 1.1 0.8 0.6 0.3 1.5%
1.0%
Welsh and British only identity 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.3%
0.4%
English only identity 64.2 15.8 64.5 16.9 60.4 15.3 64.2%
15.8%
English and British only identity 9.7 16.6 10.2 15.9 9.1 14.3 9.7%
16.6%
Any other combination of only UK identities 1.4 1.0 2.9 2.8 1.6 1.1 1.4%
1.0%
Non-UK identity only 6.4 8.3 4.4 6.1 8.2 10.0 6.4%
8.3%
UK identity and non-UK identity 0.5 1.6 0.6 1.6 0.9 2.0 0.5%
1.6%

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.

Tell us what you think about this publication by answering a few questions.

Download the data used in this article

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.

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

↑ Back to the top