Nationalities in Northampton over the last 10 years

FOI reference: FOI-2024-2267

You asked

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding changes in the nationalities of the population in Northampton. Specifically, I am seeking data on how the nationalities and ethnic composition of Northampton’s population have changed over the past 10 years.

Please provide the following information:

1. Population Data by Nationality: Annual or biennial data showing the breakdown of Northampton’s population by nationality or ethnic origin over the past 10 years.

2. Historical Comparisons: Comparative data showing changes in nationality demographics over the specified period. Please include trends, percentages, or charts illustrating these changes if available.

3. Source of Data: Information on the sources of this demographic data, including any surveys or local reports used to compile the information.

4. Relevant Reports: Copies of any local reports or studies conducted on demographic changes in Northampton, focusing on nationality or ethnic composition.

We said

Thank you for your freedom of information request. 

The data requested is available from the decennial census information on our website and on Nomis. Nomis is a service run on behalf of the ONS by the university of Durham.

The Census does not ask someone’s nationality, but we do collect country of birth, passports held and national identity. We also collect ethnic group data.

Please also see the following link: Census Maps – this enables users to visualise Census datasets for each Local Authority (LA).  

The release Ethnic group, England and Wales: Census 2021 details the ethnic groups of usual residents and household ethnic composition in England and Wales and includes a statistical bulletin and a mapping tool.

The 2011 Census equivalent 2011 Census: Detailed Characteristics for England and Wales, March 2011 provides information about the number, distribution and characteristics of the population in England and Wales as at census day (27 March 2011). This also includes a bulletin and charts.

Although, the broad picture of population change can be followed from census to census, each census has evolved to reflect and keep up with changes in society. Therefore, direct comparison does not necessarily provide a good source of information about detailed change over time. Changes in the questions asked, in the categories used to present results, and in geographical boundaries, mean that each census primarily provides a 'cross sectional' picture of the country at the time. 

At the time of the 2011 Census, Northamptonshire was a county that was constituted of eight Local Authority Districts. By the time of Census 2021 the county was split into two local government districts, North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire, which are both unitary authority areas. 

The associated downloads are 2011 and 2021 datasets detailing country of birth, passports held and ethnic group for Northamptonshire. 

Build a custom area profile is a simple tool that allows you to create a Census 2021 data profile covering any area in England and Wales, including one that you draw for yourself on a map. This blog post offers an introduction to the tool and how to use it. 

If you have any queries about this tools provided or the data, Census.customerservices@ons.gov.uk can advise.