/visualisations/censusareachanges/E08000016/

The population passed 240,000

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Barnsley increased by 5.8%, from around 231,200 in 2011 to around 244,600 in 2021.

The population here increased by a greater percentage than the overall population of Yorkshire and The Humber (3.7%), but by a smaller percentage than the overall population of England (up 6.6% since the 2011 Census).

In 2021, Barnsley was home to around 5.3 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 5.0 in 2011. This area was close to the median 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 Barnsley than across Yorkshire and The Humber

Percentage population change, Barnsley and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% Yorkshire and The Humber ▲3.7% Barnsley ▲5.8%
-2-0.50.5+2+8+16%

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

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Median age in Barnsley

Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of Barnsley increased by one year, from 41 to 42 years of age.

This area had a higher average (median) age than Yorkshire and The Humber 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 50 to 64 years rose by around 6,900 (an increase of 15.2%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by just over 5,900 (11.7% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 50 and 64 years increased by 1.8 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Barnsley_% 2021_Barnsley_% 2011_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2021_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Barnsley Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 2.0 2.2 2.2 2.4 2.2 2.4 2.0%
2.2%
75 to 84 years 5.7 6.4 5.6 6.3 5.5 6.1 5.7%
6.4%
65 to 74 years 9.5 10.8 8.8 10.3 8.6 9.8 9.5%
10.8%
50 to 64 years 19.6 21.4 18.4 19.7 18.1 19.4 19.6%
21.4%
35 to 49 years 22.0 18.3 20.9 18.5 21.3 19.4 22.0%
18.3%
25 to 34 years 11.8 13.5 12.7 13.1 13.5 13.6 11.8%
13.5%
20 to 24 years 5.9 5.1 7.2 6.3 6.8 6.0 5.9%
5.1%
16 to 19 years 4.9 3.9 5.4 4.7 5.1 4.6 4.9%
3.9%
10 to 15 years 7.1 6.9 7.0 7.2 7.0 7.2 7.1%
6.9%
5 to 9 years 5.4 5.9 5.6 5.9 5.6 5.9 5.4%
5.9%
4 years and under 6.0 5.5 6.2 5.4 6.3 5.4 6.0%
5.5%

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

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Employment in Barnsley

The percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed increased in Barnsley, but fell across Yorkshire and The Humber.

In Barnsley, the percentage who were employed rose from 53.7% in 2011 to 54.8% in 2021. During the same period, the regional percentage fell from 54.5% to 53.5%.

The percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were unemployed (excluding full-time students) in Barnsley fell from 4.7% to 2.5%, while the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were retired (economically inactive) remained at 23.7%.

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 Barnsley increased by 1.1 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Barnsley_% 2021_Barnsley_% 2011_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2021_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Barnsley Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 53.7 54.8 54.5 53.5 56.5 55.7 53.7%
54.8%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 4.7 2.5 4.4 2.7 4.0 2.9 4.7%
2.5%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 1.5 1.1 2.4 1.7 2.4 1.7 1.5%
1.1%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.5%
0.4%
Economically inactive: Retired 23.7 23.7 22.2 22.9 21.2 21.5 23.7%
23.7%
Economically inactive: Student 3.3 3.3 5.4 5.8 5.3 5.6 3.3%
3.3%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 4.0 4.9 3.9 4.9 4.0 4.8 4.0%
4.9%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 6.5 6.3 4.2 4.7 3.8 4.1 6.5%
6.3%
Economically inactive: Other 2.1 3.0 2.2 3.2 2.2 3.1 2.1%
3.0%

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

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Change in work hours

In 2021, 8.2% of Barnsley residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked 15 hours or less per week. This figure increased from 7.9% in 2011.

In 2021, around 1 in 10 people (10.0%) said they worked over 49 hours per week, compared with 11.6% in 2011. The percentage of adults in employment working 31 to 48 hours per week increased from 58.9% to 61.4%.

This area had the region’s joint third lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week (alongside Doncaster). Across the region, only Wakefield (7.9%) and Kingston upon Hull (8.0%) had a lower percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week.

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

The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less in Barnsley increased by 0.3 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_Barnsley_% 2021_Barnsley_% 2011_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2021_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Barnsley Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 7.9 8.2 9.6 9.7 9.7 10.3 7.9%
8.2%
16 to 30 hours worked 21.6 20.5 21.2 21.1 19.5 19.5 21.6%
20.5%
31 to 48 hours worked 58.9 61.4 57.3 59.3 57.5 59.1 58.9%
61.4%
49 or more hours worked 11.6 10.0 11.9 9.9 13.3 11.1 11.6%
10.0%

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

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Religion in Barnsley

In 2021, 42.1% of Barnsley residents reported having "No religion", up from 24.0% in 2011. The rise of 18.1 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in Barnsley. 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 Yorkshire and The Humber, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 25.9% to 39.4%, while across England the percentage increased from 24.8% to 36.7%.

In 2021, 51.3% of people in Barnsley described themselves as Christian (down from 68.5%), while 5.2% did not state their religion (down from 6.5% 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, 42.1% of usual residents in Barnsley reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Barnsley_% 2021_Barnsley_% 2011_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2021_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Barnsley Percentage in undefined
No religion 24.0 42.1 25.9 39.4 24.8 36.7 24.0%
42.1%
Christian 68.5 51.3 59.5 44.9 59.4 46.3 68.5%
51.3%
Buddhist 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.1%
0.2%
Hindu 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.5 1.5 1.8 0.1%
0.2%
Jewish 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.0%
0.0%
Muslim 0.4 0.6 6.2 8.1 5.0 6.7 0.4%
0.6%
Sikh 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.8 0.9 0.1%
0.1%
Other 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.3%
0.4%
Not answered 6.5 5.2 6.8 5.7 7.1 6.0 6.5%
5.2%

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

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Disability in Barnsley

Barnsley saw Yorkshire and The Humber's joint largest percentage-point fall (alongside Wakefield) in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot (from 13.4% in 2011 to 10.6% 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.

Doncaster saw Yorkshire and The Humber's next largest decrease in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot (from 12.0% in 2011 to 9.5% in 2021).

Every local authority area across Yorkshire and The Humber saw a fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot, as the regional proportion fell from 9.9% to 8.2%.

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 Barnsley decreased by 2.8 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Barnsley_% 2021_Barnsley_% 2011_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2021_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Barnsley Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 13.4 10.6 9.9 8.2 9.1 7.5 13.4%
10.6%
Disabled and limited a little 11.8 11.5 10.5 10.7 10.2 10.2 11.8%
11.5%
Not disabled 74.8 77.9 79.5 81.1 80.7 82.3 74.8%
77.9%

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

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Barnsley residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 225,800 Barnsley residents said they were born in England. This represented 92.3% of the local population. The figure has risen from just over 220,200 in 2011, which at the time represented 95.2% of Barnsley's population.

Romania was the next most represented, with around 3,600 Barnsley residents reporting this country of birth (1.5%). This figure was up from fewer than 50 in 2011, which at the time represented 0.0% of the population of Barnsley.

The number of Barnsley residents born in Poland rose from just under 1,600 in 2011 (0.7% of the local population) to just over 3,400 in 2021 (1.4%).

In 2021, 92.3% of Barnsley residents reported their country of birth as England

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Barnsley_% 2021_Barnsley_% 2011_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2021_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Barnsley Percentage in undefined
England 95.2 92.3 89.1 86.8 83.5 80.3 95.2%
92.3%
Romania 0.0 1.5 0.0 0.6 0.1 0.9 0.0%
1.5%
Poland 0.7 1.4 0.9 1.3 1.1 1.3 0.7%
1.4%
Scotland 0.8 0.7 1.3 1.1 1.3 1.1 0.8%
0.7%
Countries that joined the EU between April 2001 and March 2011 (other than Poland, Croatia, Lithuania and Romania) 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.8 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 Barnsley in 2021
  2. Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings

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More adults never married or in a civil partnership

Barnsley saw Yorkshire and The Humber's joint second-largest percentage-point rise (alongside Wakefield) in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership (from 31.5% in 2011 to 36.6% in 2021).

Across the region, only Rotherham saw a greater rise in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership (from 30.5% to 36.0%).

Every local authority area across Yorkshire and The Humber saw a rise in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership, as the regional percentage grew from 33.9% to 37.7%.

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 Barnsley increased by 5.1 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Barnsley_% 2021_Barnsley_% 2011_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2021_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Barnsley Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 31.5 36.6 33.9 37.7 34.6 37.9 31.5%
36.6%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 47.8 43.6 47.0 44.2 46.8 44.7 47.8%
43.6%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 2.4 2.4 2.6 2.3 2.7 2.2 2.4%
2.4%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 10.5 10.6 9.3 9.4 9.0 9.1 10.5%
10.6%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 7.8 6.8 7.2 6.4 6.9 6.1 7.8%
6.8%

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

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Health in Barnsley

In 2021, 43.2% of Barnsley residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 40.4% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" rose from 33.6% 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 Barnsley residents describing their health as "very bad" was 1.7% (similar to 2011), while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 6.9% to 5.8%.

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 very good health in Barnsley increased by 2.8 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Barnsley_% 2021_Barnsley_% 2011_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2021_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Barnsley Percentage in undefined
Very good health 40.4 43.2 43.4 45.3 45.0 47.5 40.4%
43.2%
Good health 33.6 33.8 34.9 34.8 34.8 34.2 33.6%
33.8%
Fair health 17.2 15.6 15.1 14.0 14.2 13.0 17.2%
15.6%
Bad health 6.9 5.8 5.1 4.6 4.6 4.1 6.9%
5.8%
Very bad health 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.4 1.2 1.9%
1.7%

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

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Rise in private renting

Barnsley saw Yorkshire and The Humber's third-largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of privately-rented homes (from 12.8% in 2011 to 17.2% in 2021).

Across the region, only Bradford (from 18.1% to 23.0%) and Doncaster (from 14.8% to 19.4%) saw a greater increase in the percentage of privately-rented homes.

Every local authority area across Yorkshire and The Humber saw a rise in the percentage of privately-rented homes, as the regional percentage grew from 15.9% to 19.4%.

Private renting in Barnsley increased by 4.4 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Barnsley_% 2021_Barnsley_% 2011_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2021_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Barnsley Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 64.3 62.3 64.1 62.6 63.3 61.3 64.3%
62.3%
Shared ownership 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.8 1.0 0.4%
0.5%
Social rented 20.9 19.7 18.1 17.3 17.7 17.1 20.9%
19.7%
Private rented 12.8 17.2 15.9 19.4 16.8 20.5 12.8%
17.2%
Lives rent free 1.6 0.3 1.5 0.2 1.3 0.1 1.6%
0.3%

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

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Change in unpaid care

Barnsley saw Yorkshire and The Humber's joint third-largest percentage-point rise (alongside North Lincolnshire and Calderdale) in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care (from 1.9% in 2011 to 2.5% 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 North East Lincolnshire (from 1.4% to 2.2%) and Bradford (from 1.7% to 2.4%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care.

Every local authority area across Yorkshire and The Humber saw a rise in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care, as the regional proportion grew from 1.6% to 2.0%.

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 those providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care in Barnsley increased by 0.6 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_Barnsley_% 2021_Barnsley_% 2011_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2021_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Barnsley Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 87.5 89.4 88.5 90.7 88.7 91.1 87.5%
89.4%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 7.0 4.5 7.1 4.4 7.2 4.4 7.0%
4.5%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 1.9 2.5 1.6 2.0 1.5 1.8 1.9%
2.5%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 3.6 3.6 2.9 2.9 2.7 2.7 3.6%
3.6%

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

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National identity in Barnsley

In 2021, 4.5% of Barnsley residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 2.2% in 2011.

The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK was greater in Barnsley (2.3 percentage points) than across Yorkshire and The Humber (1.6 percentage points, from 5.1% to 6.7%). 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 Barnsley increased by 2.3 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Barnsley_% 2021_Barnsley_% 2011_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2021_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Barnsley Percentage in undefined
British only identity 11.2 56.3 17.0 58.7 19.2 56.8 11.2%
56.3%
Welsh only identity 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.6 0.3 0.2%
0.1%
Welsh and British only identity 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0%
0.1%
English only identity 75.1 18.0 65.7 15.3 60.4 15.3 75.1%
18.0%
English and British only identity 10.3 19.8 10.2 16.8 9.1 14.3 10.3%
19.8%
Any other combination of only UK identities 0.8 0.5 1.3 0.9 1.6 1.1 0.8%
0.5%
Non-UK identity only 2.2 4.5 5.1 6.7 8.2 10.0 2.2%
4.5%
UK identity and non-UK identity 0.2 0.7 0.5 1.3 0.9 2.0 0.2%
0.7%

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

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Family in Barnsley

Of Barnsley households, 18.9% included a couple but no children in 2021, down from 19.8% in 2011.

In 2021, just over one in six households (17.7%) included a couple with dependent children, compared with 19.4% in 2011. The percentage of single family households including a couple living with only non-dependent children decreased from 7.0% to 6.8%.

The decrease in the percentage of households including a couple but no children in Barnsley (0.8 percentage points) was similar to the decrease across Yorkshire and The Humber (1.0 percentage points, from 18.7% to 17.7%). Across England, the percentage fell by 0.9 percentage points, from 17.6% to 16.8%.

The percentage of households including a couple without children in Barnsley decreased by 0.8 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Barnsley_% 2021_Barnsley_% 2011_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2021_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Barnsley Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 13.0 13.1 12.7 13.3 12.4 12.8 13.0%
13.1%
One-person household: Other 16.5 17.7 17.9 18.2 17.9 17.3 16.5%
17.7%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 19.8 18.9 18.7 17.7 17.6 16.8 19.8%
18.9%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 19.4 17.7 19.2 18.2 19.3 18.9 19.4%
17.7%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 7.0 6.8 6.1 6.0 6.1 6.3 7.0%
6.8%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 11.4 11.7 10.4 11.0 10.6 11.1 11.4%
11.7%
Other household types 13.0 14.0 15.1 15.5 16.1 16.9 13.0%
14.0%

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

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Ethnic groups in Barnsley

In 2021, 0.5% of Barnsley residents identified their ethnic group within the "Other" category ("Arab" or "Any other ethnic group"), up from 0.2% in 2011. The 0.4 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.

Across Yorkshire and The Humber, the percentage of people from the "Other ethnic groups" ("Arab" or "Any other ethnic group") increased from 0.8% to 1.4%, while across England the percentage increased from 1.0% to 2.2%.

In 2021, 96.9% of people in Barnsley identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 97.9% in 2011), while 0.9% identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category (compared with 0.7% the previous decade).

The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category increased from 0.7% in 2011 to 0.9% 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, 0.5% of usual residents in Barnsley identified their ethnic group within the "Other" category ("Arab" or "Any other ethnic group")

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Barnsley_% 2021_Barnsley_% 2011_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2021_Yorkshire and The Humber_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Barnsley Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 0.7 0.9 7.3 8.9 7.8 9.6 0.7%
0.9%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 0.5 0.7 1.5 2.1 3.5 4.2 0.5%
0.7%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 0.7 0.9 1.6 2.1 2.3 3.0 0.7%
0.9%
White 97.9 96.9 88.8 85.4 85.4 81.0 97.9%
96.9%
Other ethnic groups 0.2 0.5 0.8 1.4 1.0 2.2 0.2%
0.5%

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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