/visualisations/censusareachanges/E06000025/

The population passed 290,000

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of South Gloucestershire increased by 10.5%, from just under 262,800 in 2011 to around 290,400 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, South Gloucestershire was home to around 4.2 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 3.8 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 South Gloucestershire than across the South West

Percentage population change, South Gloucestershire and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% South West ▲7.8% South Gloucestershire ▲10.5%
-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 stable in South Gloucestershire

The latest census data also show that the average (median) age remained 40 years in South Gloucestershire between the last two censuses.

This area had a lower average (median) age than the South West as a whole in 2021 (44 years) but had a similar averaage (median) age to 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 25 to 34 years rose by just over 8,400 (an increase of 26.7%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by around 3,600 (6.1% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 25 and 34 years increased by 1.8 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Gloucestershire_% 2021_South Gloucestershire_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Gloucestershire Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 2.1 2.6 2.9 3.1 2.2 2.4 2.1%
2.6%
75 to 84 years 5.6 6.6 6.6 7.6 5.5 6.1 5.6%
6.6%
65 to 74 years 9.1 9.5 10.1 11.7 8.6 9.8 9.1%
9.5%
50 to 64 years 18.3 19.4 19.6 20.4 18.1 19.4 18.3%
19.4%
35 to 49 years 22.6 19.2 20.6 17.9 21.3 19.4 22.6%
19.2%
25 to 34 years 12.0 13.7 11.4 12.1 13.5 13.6 12.0%
13.7%
20 to 24 years 5.9 6.2 6.3 5.8 6.8 6.0 5.9%
6.2%
16 to 19 years 5.4 4.5 5.0 4.4 5.1 4.6 5.4%
4.5%
10 to 15 years 7.4 6.8 6.8 6.7 7.0 7.2 7.4%
6.8%
5 to 9 years 5.6 5.9 5.2 5.5 5.6 5.9 5.6%
5.9%
4 years and under 6.1 5.6 5.6 4.8 6.3 5.4 6.1%
5.6%

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

| |

South Gloucestershire stood out from other areas for housing

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

In South Gloucestershire, the percentage of households in the social rented sector rose from 9.9% in 2011 to 10.8% 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 South Gloucestershire increased from 13.6% to 15.7%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 74.9% to 72.4%.

The rate of social renting in South Gloucestershire increased by 0.9 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Gloucestershire_% 2021_South Gloucestershire_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Gloucestershire Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 74.9 72.4 67.4 65.9 63.3 61.3 74.9%
72.4%
Shared ownership 0.5 1.0 0.8 1.1 0.8 1.0 0.5%
1.0%
Social rented 9.9 10.8 13.3 13.3 17.7 17.1 9.9%
10.8%
Private rented 13.6 15.7 17.1 19.7 16.8 20.5 13.6%
15.7%
Lives rent free 1.1 0.0 1.4 0.1 1.3 0.1 1.1%
0.0%

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

| |

More adults never married or in a civil partnership

South Gloucestershire saw the South West's second-largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership (from 30.4% in 2011 to 35.9% in 2021).

Across the region, only Bristol 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 47.0% to 52.8%).

Every local authority area across the South West 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 31.1% to 34.7%.

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 South Gloucestershire increased by 5.5 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Gloucestershire_% 2021_South Gloucestershire_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Gloucestershire Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 30.4 35.9 31.1 34.7 34.6 37.9 30.4%
35.9%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 52.1 47.9 49.2 46.5 46.8 44.7 52.1%
47.9%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 2.2 1.8 2.3 2.1 2.7 2.2 2.2%
1.8%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 8.9 8.6 9.8 10.1 9.0 9.1 8.9%
8.6%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 6.4 5.8 7.5 6.6 6.9 6.1 6.4%
5.8%

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

| |

Unpaid care in South Gloucestershire

South Gloucestershire saw the South West's joint third-largest percentage-point fall (alongside Dorset, East Devon 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 7.9% in 2011 to 4.8% 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 South Gloucestershire 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_South Gloucestershire_% 2021_South Gloucestershire_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Gloucestershire Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 88.5 91.2 88.6 91.0 88.7 91.1 88.5%
91.2%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 7.9 4.8 7.5 4.7 7.2 4.4 7.9%
4.8%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 1.2 1.6 1.4 1.7 1.5 1.8 1.2%
1.6%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.3%
2.4%

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

| |

Ethnic groups in South Gloucestershire

In 2021, 3.8% of South Gloucestershire residents identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category, up from 2.5% in 2011. The 1.4 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, 91.2% of people in South Gloucestershire identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 95.0% in 2011), while 2.5% identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category (compared with 1.4% 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 1.6% 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, 3.8% of usual residents in South Gloucestershire 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_South Gloucestershire_% 2021_South Gloucestershire_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Gloucestershire Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 2.5 3.8 2.0 2.8 7.8 9.6 2.5%
3.8%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 0.8 1.6 0.9 1.2 3.5 4.2 0.8%
1.6%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 1.4 2.5 1.4 2.0 2.3 3.0 1.4%
2.5%
White 95.0 91.2 95.4 93.1 85.4 81.0 95.0%
91.2%
Other ethnic groups 0.3 0.9 0.3 0.9 1.0 2.2 0.3%
0.9%

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

| |

National identity in South Gloucestershire

In 2021, 6.3% of South Gloucestershire residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 3.9% in 2011.

The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK was greater in South Gloucestershire (2.4 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 South Gloucestershire increased by 2.4 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Gloucestershire_% 2021_South Gloucestershire_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Gloucestershire Percentage in undefined
British only identity 14.7 56.2 16.0 55.5 19.2 56.8 14.7%
56.2%
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 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.3%
0.5%
English only identity 66.8 16.2 64.5 16.9 60.4 15.3 66.8%
16.2%
English and British only identity 10.9 17.2 10.2 15.9 9.1 14.3 10.9%
17.2%
Any other combination of only UK identities 1.3 1.0 2.9 2.8 1.6 1.1 1.3%
1.0%
Non-UK identity only 3.9 6.3 4.4 6.1 8.2 10.0 3.9%
6.3%
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

| |

Fewer adults working long hours

In 2021, 9.1% of South Gloucestershire residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked over 49 hours per week. This figure decreased from 11.5% in 2011.

In 2021, just under 1 in 10 people (9.6%) said they worked 15 hours or less per week, compared with 10.4% in 2011. The percentage of adults in employment working 31 to 48 hours per week increased from 58.4% to 61.2%.

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 in South Gloucestershire (2.4 percentage points) was similar to the decrease 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 South Gloucestershire decreased by 2.4 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_South Gloucestershire_% 2021_South Gloucestershire_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Gloucestershire Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 10.4 9.6 10.8 11.3 9.7 10.3 10.4%
9.6%
16 to 30 hours worked 19.7 20.0 20.7 21.0 19.5 19.5 19.7%
20.0%
31 to 48 hours worked 58.4 61.2 55.2 57.0 57.5 59.1 58.4%
61.2%
49 or more hours worked 11.5 9.1 13.3 10.8 13.3 11.1 11.5%
9.1%

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

| |

Religion in South Gloucestershire

In 2021, 46.1% of South Gloucestershire residents reported having "No religion", making it the most common response in this local authority area (up from 30.7% in 2011). 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, 44.1% of people in South Gloucestershire described themselves as Christian (down from 59.6%), while 6.0% did not state their religion (down from 7.4% 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, 46.1% of usual residents in South Gloucestershire reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Gloucestershire_% 2021_South Gloucestershire_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Gloucestershire Percentage in undefined
No religion 30.7 46.1 29.3 44.1 24.8 36.7 30.7%
46.1%
Christian 59.6 44.1 60.4 46.2 59.4 46.3 59.6%
44.1%
Buddhist 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.3%
0.4%
Hindu 0.6 1.0 0.3 0.5 1.5 1.8 0.6%
1.0%
Jewish 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.1%
0.1%
Muslim 0.8 1.6 1.0 1.4 5.0 6.7 0.8%
1.6%
Sikh 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.8 0.9 0.2%
0.3%
Other 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.3%
0.5%
Not answered 7.4 6.0 7.9 6.5 7.1 6.0 7.4%
6.0%

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

| |

South Gloucestershire residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 249,200 South Gloucestershire residents said they were born in England. This represented 85.8% of the local population. The figure has risen from around 235,000 in 2011, which at the time represented 89.4% of South Gloucestershire's population.

Wales was the next most represented, with just over 7,000 South Gloucestershire residents reporting this country of birth (2.4%). This figure was up from around 6,800 in 2011, which at the time represented 2.6% of the population of South Gloucestershire.

The number of South Gloucestershire residents born in Poland rose from just over 1,800 in 2011 (0.7% of the local population) to just over 3,300 in 2021 (1.1%).

In 2021, 85.8% of South Gloucestershire residents reported their country of birth as England

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Gloucestershire_% 2021_South Gloucestershire_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Gloucestershire Percentage in undefined
England 89.4 85.8 88.6 86.4 83.5 80.3 89.4%
85.8%
Wales 2.6 2.4 2.0 1.8 1.0 0.8 2.6%
2.4%
Poland 0.7 1.1 0.9 1.1 1.1 1.3 0.7%
1.1%
India 0.6 1.0 0.5 0.7 1.3 1.6 0.6%
1.0%
Scotland 1.1 0.9 1.4 1.2 1.3 1.1 1.1%
0.9%

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

| |

People looking after their family or home in South Gloucestershire

In 2021, 3.1% of South Gloucestershire residents (aged 16 years and over) said they were economically inactive because they were looking after their family or home. This figure was at a similar level in 2011 (3.0%).

In 2021, just over 6 in 10 people (60.4%) said they were employed (excluding full-time students), compared with 61.9% in 2011. The percentage of South Gloucestershire residents who were unemployed (excluding full-time students) decreased from 2.5% to 1.8%.

This area had the region’s second lowest percentage of people who were economically inactive because they were looking after their family or home. Across the region, only Exeter, with 2.9%, had a lower percentage.

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 looking after their family or home (economically inactive) in South Gloucestershire increased by 0.2 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Gloucestershire_% 2021_South Gloucestershire_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Gloucestershire Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 61.9 60.4 56.9 55.3 56.5 55.7 61.9%
60.4%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 2.5 1.8 2.9 2.1 4.0 2.9 2.5%
1.8%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 2.6 1.8 2.3 1.6 2.4 1.7 2.6%
1.8%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.6%
0.6%
Economically inactive: Retired 21.8 22.4 24.7 25.6 21.2 21.5 21.8%
22.4%
Economically inactive: Student 3.7 4.7 4.3 5.0 5.3 5.6 3.7%
4.7%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 3.0 3.1 3.3 3.7 4.0 4.8 3.0%
3.1%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 2.4 2.8 3.3 3.7 3.8 4.1 2.4%
2.8%
Economically inactive: Other 1.5 2.3 1.7 2.5 2.2 3.1 1.5%
2.3%

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

| |

Family in South Gloucestershire

Of South Gloucestershire households, 18.5% included a couple but no children in 2021, down from 19.4% in 2011.

In 2021, just over one in five households (21.3%) included a couple with dependent children, compared with 22.4% in 2011. The percentage of single family households including a couple living with only non-dependent children increased from 6.9% to 7.4%.

The decrease in the percentage of households including a couple but no children was greater across the South West (1.2 percentage points, from 19.7% to 18.5%) than in South Gloucestershire (0.8 percentage points). 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 South Gloucestershire decreased by 0.8 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Gloucestershire_% 2021_South Gloucestershire_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Gloucestershire Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 11.4 12.2 13.8 14.6 12.4 12.8 11.4%
12.2%
One-person household: Other 15.1 13.9 16.5 15.7 17.9 17.3 15.1%
13.9%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 19.4 18.5 19.7 18.5 17.6 16.8 19.4%
18.5%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 22.4 21.3 18.6 17.9 19.3 18.9 22.4%
21.3%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 6.9 7.4 5.6 5.9 6.1 6.3 6.9%
7.4%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 9.4 9.4 8.9 9.1 10.6 11.1 9.4%
9.4%
Other household types 15.4 17.3 16.9 18.3 16.1 16.9 15.4%
17.3%

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

| |

Disability in South Gloucestershire

In 2021, 6.3% of South Gloucestershire residents were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. This figure decreased from 7.4% 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 over 1 in 10 people (10.2%) were identified as being disabled and limited a little, compared with 9.4% in 2011. The proportion of South Gloucestershire residents who were not disabled increased from 83.1% to 83.5%.

The decrease in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot in South Gloucestershire (1.1 percentage points) was similar to the decrease across the South West (1.1 percentage points, from 8.1% to 7.0%). 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 South Gloucestershire decreased by 1.1 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Gloucestershire_% 2021_South Gloucestershire_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Gloucestershire Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 7.4 6.3 8.1 7.0 9.1 7.5 7.4%
6.3%
Disabled and limited a little 9.4 10.2 10.1 10.8 10.2 10.2 9.4%
10.2%
Not disabled 83.1 83.5 81.9 82.2 80.7 82.3 83.1%
83.5%

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

| |

Health in South Gloucestershire

In 2021, 48.9% of South Gloucestershire residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 47.4% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 35.5% to 34.6%. 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 South Gloucestershire residents describing their health as "very bad" was 0.9% (similar to 2011), while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 3.5% to 3.3%.

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 South Gloucestershire increased by 1.5 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_South Gloucestershire_% 2021_South Gloucestershire_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in South Gloucestershire Percentage in undefined
Very good health 47.4 48.9 46.8 48.7 45.0 47.5 47.4%
48.9%
Good health 35.5 34.6 34.8 34.1 34.8 34.2 35.5%
34.6%
Fair health 12.6 12.1 13.3 12.5 14.2 13.0 12.6%
12.1%
Bad health 3.5 3.3 4.0 3.7 4.6 4.1 3.5%
3.3%
Very bad health 1.0 0.9 1.1 1.1 1.4 1.2 1.0%
0.9%

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