/visualisations/censusareachanges/E06000034/

The population reached nearly 180,000

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Thurrock increased by 11.6%, from around 157,700 in 2011 to around 176,000 in 2021.

The population here increased by a greater percentage than the overall population of the East of England (8.3%), and by a greater percentage than the overall population of England (up 6.6% since the 2011 Census).

In 2021, Thurrock was home to around 7.7 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 6.9 in 2011. This area was among the top 45% most densely populated 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 Thurrock than across the East of England

Percentage population change, Thurrock and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% East of England ▲8.3% Thurrock ▲11.6%
-2-0.50.5+2+8+16%

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

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Median age stable in Thurrock

The latest census data also show that the average (median) age remained 36 years in Thurrock between the last two censuses.

This area had a lower average (median) age than the East of England as a whole in 2021 (41 years) and a 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 4,400 (an increase of 16.5%), while the number of residents between 20 and 24 years fell by around 300 (2.8% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 50 and 64 years increased by 0.7 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Thurrock_% 2021_Thurrock_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Thurrock Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 1.7 1.6 2.4 2.7 2.2 2.4 1.7%
1.6%
75 to 84 years 4.2 4.3 6.0 6.6 5.5 6.1 4.2%
4.3%
65 to 74 years 6.8 7.7 9.1 10.3 8.6 9.8 6.8%
7.7%
50 to 64 years 16.9 17.6 18.7 19.6 18.1 19.4 16.9%
17.6%
35 to 49 years 23.0 21.6 21.5 19.5 21.3 19.4 23.0%
21.6%
25 to 34 years 14.6 14.7 12.4 12.8 13.5 13.6 14.6%
14.7%
20 to 24 years 6.2 5.4 6.0 5.4 6.8 6.0 6.2%
5.4%
16 to 19 years 4.9 4.6 4.9 4.3 5.1 4.6 4.9%
4.6%
10 to 15 years 7.6 8.4 7.2 7.2 7.0 7.2 7.6%
8.4%
5 to 9 years 6.5 7.2 5.6 6.0 5.6 5.9 6.5%
7.2%
4 years and under 7.6 7.0 6.2 5.5 6.3 5.4 7.6%
7.0%

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

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More lone parents

Thurrock saw England's largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of lone-parent households (from 11.2% in 2011 to 13.5% in 2021).

Isles of Scilly saw the country's next largest increase in the percentage of lone-parent households (from 3.4% in 2011 to 5.6% in 2021).

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

The percentage of households including a lone parent in Thurrock increased by 2.4 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Thurrock_% 2021_Thurrock_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Thurrock Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 10.2 10.2 12.7 13.2 12.4 12.8 10.2%
10.2%
One-person household: Other 16.0 14.1 15.8 15.7 17.9 17.3 16.0%
14.1%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 17.1 14.0 19.0 17.2 17.6 16.8 17.1%
14.0%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 23.9 23.9 21.0 20.2 19.3 18.9 23.9%
23.9%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 7.5 8.0 6.4 6.6 6.1 6.3 7.5%
8.0%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 11.2 13.5 9.4 10.2 10.6 11.1 11.2%
13.5%
Other household types 14.1 16.2 15.8 16.8 16.1 16.9 14.1%
16.2%

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

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Ethnic groups in Thurrock

In 2021, 11.9% of Thurrock residents identified their ethnic group within the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category, up from 7.8% in 2011. The 4.0 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.

Across the East of England, the percentage of people from the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" ethnic group increased from 2.0% to 2.9%, while across England the percentage increased from 3.5% to 4.2%.

In 2021, 76.7% of people in Thurrock identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 85.9% in 2011), while 6.9% identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category (compared with 3.8% the previous decade).

The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category increased from 2.0% in 2011 to 3.0% 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, 11.9% of usual residents in Thurrock identified their ethnic group within the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Thurrock_% 2021_Thurrock_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Thurrock Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 3.8 6.9 4.8 6.4 7.8 9.6 3.8%
6.9%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 7.8 11.9 2.0 2.9 3.5 4.2 7.8%
11.9%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 2.0 3.0 1.9 2.8 2.3 3.0 2.0%
3.0%
White 85.9 76.7 90.8 86.5 85.4 81.0 85.9%
76.7%
Other ethnic groups 0.6 1.5 0.5 1.4 1.0 2.2 0.6%
1.5%

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

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Thurrock residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 137,400 Thurrock residents said they were born in England. This represented 78.1% of the local population. The figure has risen from around 136,600 in 2011, which at the time represented 86.6% of Thurrock's population.

Nigeria was the next most represented, with around 5,500 Thurrock residents reporting this country of birth (3.1%). This figure was up from around 3,400 in 2011, which at the time represented 2.2% of the population of Thurrock.

The number of Thurrock residents born in Romania rose from around 300 in 2011 (0.2% of the local population) to around 5,200 in 2021 (2.9%).

In 2021, 78.1% of Thurrock residents reported their country of birth as England

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Thurrock_% 2021_Thurrock_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Thurrock Percentage in undefined
England 86.6 78.1 86.6 83.1 83.5 80.3 86.6%
78.1%
Nigeria 2.2 3.1 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 2.2%
3.1%
Romania 0.2 2.9 0.1 1.1 0.1 0.9 0.2%
2.9%
Lithuania 0.4 1.7 0.3 0.6 0.2 0.3 0.4%
1.7%
Poland 1.4 1.7 1.1 1.3 1.1 1.3 1.4%
1.7%

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

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National identity in Thurrock

Thurrock saw the East of England's second-largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK (from 7.6% in 2011 to 12.3% in 2021).

Across the region, only Peterborough saw a greater rise in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK (from 14.6% to 19.7%).

Every local authority area across the East of England saw a rise in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK, as the regional percentage grew from 6.9% to 9.0%.

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 Thurrock increased by 4.7 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Thurrock_% 2021_Thurrock_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Thurrock Percentage in undefined
British only identity 14.8 53.3 16.2 54.4 19.2 56.8 14.8%
53.3%
Welsh only identity 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.6 0.3 0.3%
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 68.0 19.1 64.8 18.4 60.4 15.3 68.0%
19.1%
English and British only identity 7.7 13.0 9.4 15.1 9.1 14.3 7.7%
13.0%
Any other combination of only UK identities 0.8 0.4 1.4 0.9 1.6 1.1 0.8%
0.4%
Non-UK identity only 7.6 12.3 6.9 9.0 8.2 10.0 7.6%
12.3%
UK identity and non-UK identity 0.7 1.6 0.8 1.9 0.9 2.0 0.7%
1.6%

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

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Unpaid care in Thurrock

In 2021, 3.7% of Thurrock residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 6.2% 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 1 in 50 people (1.8%) reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 1.6% in 2011. The proportion of Thurrock residents (aged five years and over) that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care decreased from 3.0% to 2.8%.

This area had the region’s joint lowest proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care (alongside Luton). Peterborough had the East of England's next lowest proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care (3.9%), while Three Rivers and South Cambridgeshire had the region's joint highest proportion (5.1%).

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 Thurrock decreased by 2.5 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_Thurrock_% 2021_Thurrock_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Thurrock Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 89.2 91.7 88.9 91.3 88.7 91.1 89.2%
91.7%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 6.2 3.7 7.3 4.5 7.2 4.4 6.2%
3.7%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 1.6 1.8 1.3 1.7 1.5 1.8 1.6%
1.8%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 3.0 2.8 2.4 2.5 2.7 2.7 3.0%
2.8%

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

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Fall in unemployment

Thurrock saw the East of England's joint largest percentage-point fall (alongside Great Yarmouth and Ipswich) in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were unemployed (from 5.0% in 2011 to 3.2% in 2021).

Stevenage saw the East of England's next largest decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were unemployed (from 4.4% in 2011 to 2.8% in 2021).

Every local authority area across the East of England 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 3.4% to 2.5%.

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 Thurrock decreased by 1.8 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Thurrock_% 2021_Thurrock_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Thurrock Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 61.1 61.1 58.4 57.3 56.5 55.7 61.1%
61.1%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 5.0 3.2 3.4 2.5 4.0 2.9 5.0%
3.2%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 1.8 1.9 2.1 1.5 2.4 1.7 1.8%
1.9%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.7%
0.6%
Economically inactive: Retired 17.8 16.8 22.5 22.9 21.2 21.5 17.8%
16.8%
Economically inactive: Student 3.2 4.5 4.2 4.5 5.3 5.6 3.2%
4.5%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 4.8 5.5 4.1 4.6 4.0 4.8 4.8%
5.5%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 3.4 3.2 2.9 3.4 3.8 4.1 3.4%
3.2%
Economically inactive: Other 2.1 3.2 1.8 2.8 2.2 3.1 2.1%
3.2%

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

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Change in work hours

In 2021, 9.2% of Thurrock residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked 15 hours or less per week. This figure increased from 8.7% in 2011.

In 2021, just over one in nine people (11.5%) said they worked over 49 hours per week, compared with 13.0% in 2011. The percentage of adults in employment working 31 to 48 hours per week increased from 60.3% to 61.7%.

The increase in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week in Thurrock (0.5 percentage points) was similar to the increase across the East of England (0.4 percentage points, from 10.4% to 10.8%). Across England, the percentage increased by 0.6 percentage points, from 9.7% to 10.3%.

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

The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less in Thurrock increased 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_Thurrock_% 2021_Thurrock_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Thurrock Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 8.7 9.2 10.4 10.8 9.7 10.3 8.7%
9.2%
16 to 30 hours worked 18.0 17.6 18.6 18.9 19.5 19.5 18.0%
17.6%
31 to 48 hours worked 60.3 61.7 56.7 58.4 57.5 59.1 60.3%
61.7%
49 or more hours worked 13.0 11.5 14.3 11.9 13.3 11.1 13.0%
11.5%

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

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Disability in Thurrock

Thurrock saw the East of England's largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot (from 9.2% in 2011 to 7.2% 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.

Luton saw the East of England's next largest decrease in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot (from 9.6% in 2011 to 7.7% in 2021).

Every local authority area across the East of England saw a fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot, as the regional proportion fell from 7.8% to 6.6%.

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 Thurrock decreased by 2.0 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Thurrock_% 2021_Thurrock_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Thurrock Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 9.2 7.2 7.8 6.6 9.1 7.5 9.2%
7.2%
Disabled and limited a little 10.2 9.5 9.7 10.0 10.2 10.2 10.2%
9.5%
Not disabled 80.6 83.3 82.5 83.4 80.7 82.3 80.6%
83.3%

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

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Health in Thurrock

In 2021, 46.4% of Thurrock residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 43.5% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 35.7% to 34.7%. 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 Thurrock residents describing their health as "very bad" was 1.2% (similar to 2011), while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 4.7% to 4.1%.

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 bad health in Thurrock decreased by 0.6 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Thurrock_% 2021_Thurrock_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Thurrock Percentage in undefined
Very good health 43.5 46.4 45.8 47.9 45.0 47.5 43.5%
46.4%
Good health 35.7 34.7 35.8 35.0 34.8 34.2 35.7%
34.7%
Fair health 14.9 13.6 13.5 12.5 14.2 13.0 14.9%
13.6%
Bad health 4.7 4.1 3.8 3.6 4.6 4.1 4.7%
4.1%
Very bad health 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.0 1.4 1.2 1.3%
1.2%

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

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Rise in private renting

Of Thurrock households, 18.3% rented privately in 2021, up from 14.1% in 2011.

The increase in the percentage of privately-rented homes was greater in Thurrock (4.2 percentage points) than across the East of England (3.5 percentage points, from 14.7% to 18.2%). Across England, the percentage increased by 3.6 percentage points, from 16.8% to 20.5%.

Private renting in Thurrock increased by 4.2 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Thurrock_% 2021_Thurrock_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Thurrock Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 66.2 63.3 67.6 65.2 63.3 61.3 66.2%
63.3%
Shared ownership 0.5 0.7 0.7 1.0 0.8 1.0 0.5%
0.7%
Social rented 18.4 17.7 15.7 15.5 17.7 17.1 18.4%
17.7%
Private rented 14.1 18.3 14.7 18.2 16.8 20.5 14.1%
18.3%
Lives rent free 0.8 0.1 1.3 0.1 1.3 0.1 0.8%
0.1%

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

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Religion in Thurrock

In 2021, 34.7% of Thurrock residents reported having "No religion", up from 26.0% in 2011. The rise of 8.6 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in Thurrock. 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 East of England, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 27.9% to 40.2%, while across England the percentage increased from 24.8% to 36.7%.

In 2021, 51.7% of people in Thurrock described themselves as Christian (down from 63.3%), while 5.2% did not state their religion (down from 6.3% 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, 34.7% of usual residents in Thurrock reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Thurrock_% 2021_Thurrock_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Thurrock Percentage in undefined
No religion 26.0 34.7 27.9 40.2 24.8 36.7 26.0%
34.7%
Christian 63.3 51.7 59.7 46.6 59.4 46.3 63.3%
51.7%
Buddhist 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.4%
0.4%
Hindu 0.7 1.4 0.9 1.4 1.5 1.8 0.7%
1.4%
Jewish 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.1%
0.1%
Muslim 2.0 4.9 2.5 3.7 5.0 6.7 2.0%
4.9%
Sikh 0.8 1.2 0.3 0.4 0.8 0.9 0.8%
1.2%
Other 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.3%
0.5%
Not answered 6.3 5.2 7.3 6.1 7.1 6.0 6.3%
5.2%

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

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More adults never married or in a civil partnership

Of Thurrock residents aged 16 years and over, 38.6% said they had never been married or in a civil partnership in 2021, up from 33.9% in 2011.

In 2021, just under one in two people (45.0%) said they were married or in a registered civil partnership, compared with 47.7% in 2011. The percentage of adults in Thurrock that had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership decreased from 8.9% to 8.6%.

The increase in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership was greater in Thurrock (4.7 percentage points) than across the East of England (3.7 percentage points, from 31.1% to 34.8%). Across England, the percentage increased by 3.3 percentage points, from 34.6% to 37.9%.

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 Thurrock increased by 4.7 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Thurrock_% 2021_Thurrock_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Thurrock Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 33.9 38.6 31.1 34.8 34.6 37.9 33.9%
38.6%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 47.7 45.0 50.1 47.2 46.8 44.7 47.7%
45.0%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 3.3 2.5 2.5 2.2 2.7 2.2 3.3%
2.5%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 8.9 8.6 9.2 9.5 9.0 9.1 8.9%
8.6%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 6.1 5.2 7.0 6.3 6.9 6.1 6.1%
5.2%

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

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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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