/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000197/

The population reached nearly 140,000

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Stafford increased by 4.6%, from just under 130,900 in 2011 to around 136,900 in 2021.

The population here increased by a smaller percentage than the overall population of the West Midlands (6.2%), and by a smaller percentage than the overall population of England (up 6.6% since the 2011 Census).

In 2021, Stafford was home to around 1.6 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. This area was among the lowest 25% 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 lower in Stafford than across the West Midlands

Percentage population change, Stafford and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% West Midlands ▲6.2% Stafford ▲4.6%
-2-0.50.5+2+8+16%

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

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An older Stafford

Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of Stafford increased by two years, from 43 to 45 years of age.

This area had a higher average (median) age than the West Midlands as a whole in 2021 (40 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 75 to 84 years rose by around 3,100 (an increase of 38.9%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by just under 3,300 (11.6% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 75 and 84 years increased by 2.0 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Stafford_% 2021_Stafford_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Stafford Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 2.5 2.9 2.2 2.5 2.2 2.4 2.5%
2.9%
75 to 84 years 6.1 8.2 5.7 6.4 5.5 6.1 6.1%
8.2%
65 to 74 years 10.7 11.9 9.0 9.9 8.6 9.8 10.7%
11.9%
50 to 64 years 20.1 21.5 18.0 19.3 18.1 19.4 20.1%
21.5%
35 to 49 years 21.7 18.3 20.9 18.7 21.3 19.4 21.7%
18.3%
25 to 34 years 10.9 12.0 12.6 13.0 13.5 13.6 10.9%
12.0%
20 to 24 years 6.1 4.6 6.8 6.1 6.8 6.0 6.1%
4.6%
16 to 19 years 4.9 3.6 5.3 4.8 5.1 4.6 4.9%
3.6%
10 to 15 years 6.6 6.7 7.4 7.5 7.0 7.2 6.6%
6.7%
5 to 9 years 5.0 5.4 5.8 6.2 5.6 5.9 5.0%
5.4%
4 years and under 5.4 4.9 6.3 5.6 6.3 5.4 5.4%
4.9%

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

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Changing relationships in Stafford

Stafford saw England's joint third-largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership (from 9.1% in 2011 to 10.1% in 2021).

England's largest increases in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership occurred in Richmondshire (from 8.2% to 9.4%) followed by Ryedale (from 8.7% to 9.8%).

Across the West Midlands, the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership increased from 8.7% to 8.8%, while the percentage in nearby South Staffordshire increased from 8.1% to 8.8%.

These figures include same-sex marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships in 2021, neither of which were legally recognised in England and Wales in 2011. Same-sex marriages have been legally recognised in England and Wales since 2014 and opposite-sex civil partnerships have been recognised since 2019.

The percentage of adults who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership in Stafford increased by 1.0 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Stafford_% 2021_Stafford_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Stafford Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 29.2 31.0 33.7 37.1 34.6 37.9 29.2%
31.0%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 52.1 49.8 47.7 45.3 46.8 44.7 52.1%
49.8%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 2.3 2.2 2.6 2.3 2.7 2.2 2.3%
2.2%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 9.1 10.1 8.7 8.8 9.0 9.1 9.1%
10.1%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 7.2 6.8 7.3 6.5 6.9 6.1 7.2%
6.8%

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

| |

Health in Stafford

In 2021, 48.5% of Stafford residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 46.3% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 35.5% to 34.5%. 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 Stafford residents describing their health as "very bad" was 1.0% (similar to 2011), while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 3.9% 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 good health in Stafford decreased by 1.0 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Stafford_% 2021_Stafford_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Stafford Percentage in undefined
Very good health 46.3 48.5 42.8 45.2 45.0 47.5 46.3%
48.5%
Good health 35.5 34.5 35.4 35.0 34.8 34.2 35.5%
34.5%
Fair health 13.2 12.4 15.1 13.9 14.2 13.0 13.2%
12.4%
Bad health 3.9 3.5 5.1 4.5 4.6 4.1 3.9%
3.5%
Very bad health 1.1 1.0 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.1%
1.0%

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

| |

Unpaid care in Stafford

In 2021, 5.1% of Stafford residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 8.0% 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, 1.6% of residents (aged five years and over) reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 1.4% in 2011. The proportion of Stafford residents (aged five years and over) that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 2.5% to 2.6%.

The decrease in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care in Stafford (2.9 percentage points) was similar to the decrease across the West Midlands (2.9 percentage points, from 7.4% to 4.5%). Across England, the proportion fell by 2.8 percentage points, from 7.2% to 4.4%.

Census 2021 was undertaken during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This may have influenced how people perceived and managed their provision of unpaid care, and therefore may have affected how people chose to respond.

Caution should be taken when making comparisons between 2011 and 2021 because of changes in question wording and response options.

The percentage of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care in Stafford decreased by 2.9 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_Stafford_% 2021_Stafford_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Stafford Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 88.1 90.6 87.8 90.5 88.7 91.1 88.1%
90.6%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 8.0 5.1 7.4 4.5 7.2 4.4 8.0%
5.1%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 1.4 1.6 1.7 2.1 1.5 1.8 1.4%
1.6%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 2.5 2.6 3.0 3.0 2.7 2.7 2.5%
2.6%

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

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Religion in Stafford

In 2021, 36.9% of Stafford residents reported having "No religion", up from 22.8% in 2011. The rise of 14.1 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in Stafford. 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 West Midlands, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 22.0% to 32.9%, while across England the percentage increased from 24.8% to 36.7%.

In 2021, 54.3% of people in Stafford described themselves as Christian (down from 67.9%), while 5.4% did not state their religion (down from 6.6% 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, 36.9% of usual residents in Stafford reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Stafford_% 2021_Stafford_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Stafford Percentage in undefined
No religion 22.8 36.9 22.0 32.9 24.8 36.7 22.8%
36.9%
Christian 67.9 54.3 60.2 46.6 59.4 46.3 67.9%
54.3%
Buddhist 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.3%
0.4%
Hindu 0.6 0.9 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.8 0.6%
0.9%
Jewish 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.0%
0.0%
Muslim 0.9 1.1 6.7 9.6 5.0 6.7 0.9%
1.1%
Sikh 0.4 0.4 2.4 2.9 0.8 0.9 0.4%
0.4%
Other 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.4%
0.5%
Not answered 6.6 5.4 6.6 5.7 7.1 6.0 6.6%
5.4%

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

| |

Stafford residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 122,600 Stafford residents said they were born in England. This represented 89.6% of the local population. The figure has risen from around 118,500 in 2011, which at the time represented 90.5% of Stafford's population.

Wales was the next most represented, with just under 1,800 Stafford residents reporting this country of birth (1.3%). This figure was down from just under 1,900 in 2011, which at the time represented 1.5% of the population of Stafford.

The number of Stafford residents born in Scotland fell from around 1,900 in 2011 (1.4% of the local population) to around 1,700 in 2021 (1.2%).

In 2021, 89.6% of Stafford residents reported their country of birth as England

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Stafford_% 2021_Stafford_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Stafford Percentage in undefined
England 90.5 89.6 86.1 82.6 83.5 80.3 90.5%
89.6%
Wales 1.5 1.3 1.4 1.2 1.0 0.8 1.5%
1.3%
Scotland 1.4 1.2 0.9 0.8 1.3 1.1 1.4%
1.2%
India 0.7 0.8 1.8 2.1 1.3 1.6 0.7%
0.8%
Poland 0.6 0.8 0.9 1.2 1.1 1.3 0.6%
0.8%

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

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Change in employment

The decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed was greater in nearby South Staffordshire (4.2 percentage points) than in Stafford (1.0 percentage points).

In Stafford, the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were employed (excluding full-time students) decreased from 57.4% in 2011 to 56.4% in 2021. During the same period, the percentage in nearby South Staffordshire decreased from 57.5% to 53.3%.

The percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were unemployed (excluding full-time students) in Stafford fell from 2.8% to 2.0%, while the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were retired (economically inactive) increased from 24.7% to 27.2%.

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 Stafford decreased by 1.0 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Stafford_% 2021_Stafford_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Stafford Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 57.4 56.4 54.4 53.3 56.5 55.7 57.4%
56.4%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 2.8 2.0 4.6 3.2 4.0 2.9 2.8%
2.0%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 2.4 1.5 2.2 1.7 2.4 1.7 2.4%
1.5%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 0.7 0.3 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.7%
0.3%
Economically inactive: Retired 24.7 27.2 22.0 22.1 21.2 21.5 24.7%
27.2%
Economically inactive: Student 4.5 3.2 5.4 5.8 5.3 5.6 4.5%
3.2%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 2.7 3.4 4.1 5.4 4.0 4.8 2.7%
3.4%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 2.9 3.4 4.1 4.5 3.8 4.1 2.9%
3.4%
Economically inactive: Other 1.9 2.6 2.3 3.4 2.2 3.1 1.9%
2.6%

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

| |

Stafford 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 Stafford, but rose across England.

In Stafford, the percentage that worked 15 hours or less in a week fell from 10.0% in 2011 to 9.5% in 2021, while across England it rose from 9.7% to 10.3%. During the same period, the regional percentage increased from 9.6% to 9.9%.

The percentage of adults in employment who worked 49 hours or more in Stafford fell from 14.7% to 12.6%, while the percentage of adults in employment who worked 31 to 48 hours increased from 56.0% to 59.6%.

Working hours may have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less in Stafford decreased by 0.5 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_Stafford_% 2021_Stafford_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Stafford Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 10.0 9.5 9.6 9.9 9.7 10.3 10.0%
9.5%
16 to 30 hours worked 19.3 18.3 20.2 20.0 19.5 19.5 19.3%
18.3%
31 to 48 hours worked 56.0 59.6 58.1 60.1 57.5 59.1 56.0%
59.6%
49 or more hours worked 14.7 12.6 12.1 10.1 13.3 11.1 14.7%
12.6%

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

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Family in Stafford

Of Stafford households, 20.0% included a couple but no children in 2021, down from 20.5% in 2011.

This area had the region’s highest percentage of households including a couple but no children. Wychavon had the West Midlands' next highest percentage of households including a couple but no children (19.7%), while Birmingham had the region's lowest percentage (11.5%).

The percentage of households including a couple without children in Stafford decreased by 0.4 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Stafford_% 2021_Stafford_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Stafford Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 12.8 13.9 12.6 13.1 12.4 12.8 12.8%
13.9%
One-person household: Other 16.4 15.7 16.9 16.8 17.9 17.3 16.4%
15.7%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 20.5 20.0 16.9 15.9 17.6 16.8 20.5%
20.0%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 20.0 18.5 19.7 19.0 19.3 18.9 20.0%
18.5%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 6.4 6.4 6.7 6.9 6.1 6.3 6.4%
6.4%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 8.4 9.0 11.3 11.8 10.6 11.1 8.4%
9.0%
Other household types 15.6 16.6 15.9 16.6 16.1 16.9 15.6%
16.6%

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

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National identity in Stafford

In 2021, 4.2% of Stafford residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 3.5% in 2011.

In 2021, 1.1% of residents identified with a UK and non-UK national identity, compared with 0.4% in 2011. The percentage of residents in Stafford that identified as "British only" increased from 15.6% to 56.4%.

The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK was greater across the West Midlands (2.5 percentage points, from 6.2% to 8.7%) than in Stafford (0.7 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 Stafford increased by 0.7 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Stafford_% 2021_Stafford_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Stafford Percentage in undefined
British only identity 15.6 56.4 19.2 56.9 19.2 56.8 15.6%
56.4%
Welsh only identity 0.9 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.9%
0.5%
Welsh and British only identity 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2%
0.2%
English only identity 67.5 19.0 63.2 16.9 60.4 15.3 67.5%
19.0%
English and British only identity 10.5 17.4 8.7 14.6 9.1 14.3 10.5%
17.4%
Any other combination of only UK identities 1.6 1.1 1.1 0.7 1.6 1.1 1.6%
1.1%
Non-UK identity only 3.5 4.2 6.2 8.7 8.2 10.0 3.5%
4.2%
UK identity and non-UK identity 0.4 1.1 0.6 1.5 0.9 2.0 0.4%
1.1%

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

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Change in housing in Stafford

Of Stafford households, 70.0% owned their home in 2021, down from 71.6% in 2011.

In 2021, just under one in six households (15.5%) rented privately, compared with 12.9% in 2011. The percentage of Stafford households that lived in a socially rented property decreased from 13.7% to 13.6%.

The decrease in the percentage of households that owned their home was greater across the West Midlands (2.1 percentage points, from 64.9% to 62.8%) than in Stafford (1.6 percentage points). Across England, the percentage fell by 2.0 percentage points, from 63.3% to 61.3%.

The rate of home ownership in Stafford decreased by 1.6 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Stafford_% 2021_Stafford_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Stafford Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 71.6 70.0 64.9 62.8 63.3 61.3 71.6%
70.0%
Shared ownership 0.5 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.8 1.0 0.5%
0.8%
Social rented 13.7 13.6 19.0 18.2 17.7 17.1 13.7%
13.6%
Private rented 12.9 15.5 14.0 17.9 16.8 20.5 12.9%
15.5%
Lives rent free 1.3 0.1 1.5 0.2 1.3 0.1 1.3%
0.1%

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

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Disability in Stafford

In 2021, 6.7% of Stafford residents were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. This figure decreased from 8.0% 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 one in nine people (10.6%) were identified as being disabled and limited a little, compared with 10.2% in 2011. The proportion of Stafford residents who were not disabled increased from 81.8% to 82.7%.

The decrease in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot was greater across the West Midlands (1.9 percentage points, from 9.9% to 8.0%) than in Stafford (1.3 percentage points). 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 Stafford decreased by 1.3 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Stafford_% 2021_Stafford_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Stafford Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 8.0 6.7 9.9 8.0 9.1 7.5 8.0%
6.7%
Disabled and limited a little 10.2 10.6 10.6 10.4 10.2 10.2 10.2%
10.6%
Not disabled 81.8 82.7 79.4 81.5 80.7 82.3 81.8%
82.7%

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

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Ethnic groups in Stafford

In 2021, 1.9% of Stafford residents identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category, up from 1.3% in 2011. The 0.6 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.

Across the West Midlands, the percentage of people from "Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups" increased from 2.4% to 3.0%, while across England the percentage increased from 2.3% to 3.0%.

In 2021, 93.4% of people in Stafford identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 95.0% in 2011), while 3.0% identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category (compared with 2.5% 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 0.8% in 2011 to 1.1% in 2021.

There are many factors that may be contributing to the changing ethnic composition of England and Wales, such as differing patterns of ageing, fertility, mortality, and migration. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals chose to self-identify between censuses.

Read the bulletin Ethnic group, England and Wales: Census 2021.

In 2021, 1.9% of usual residents in Stafford identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Stafford_% 2021_Stafford_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Stafford Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 2.5 3.0 10.8 13.3 7.8 9.6 2.5%
3.0%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 0.8 1.1 3.3 4.5 3.5 4.2 0.8%
1.1%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 1.3 1.9 2.4 3.0 2.3 3.0 1.3%
1.9%
White 95.0 93.4 82.7 77.0 85.4 81.0 95.0%
93.4%
Other ethnic groups 0.4 0.7 0.9 2.1 1.0 2.2 0.4%
0.7%

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

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