/visualisations/censusareachanges/E06000046/

The population passed 140,000

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of the Isle of Wight increased by 1.6%, from around 138,300 in 2011 to around 140,500 in 2021.

The population here increased by a smaller percentage than the overall population of the South East (7.5%), and by a smaller percentage than the overall population of England (up 6.6% since the 2011 Census).

In 2021, the Isle of Wight was home to around 2.6 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. This area was among the lowest 35% 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 on the Isle of Wight than across the South East

Percentage population change, Isle of Wight and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% South East ▲7.5% Isle of Wight ▲1.6%
-2-0.50.5+2+8+16%

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

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An older Isle of Wight

Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of the Isle of Wight increased by five years, from 46 to 51 years of age.

This area had the joint second-highest average (median) age in the South East (alongside New Forest and behind Rother) 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 65 to 74 years rose by around 4,600 (an increase of 26.7%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by just under 5,100 (18.8% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 65 and 74 years increased by 3.1 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Isle of Wight_% 2021_Isle of Wight_% 2011_South East_% 2021_South East_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Isle of Wight Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 3.7 3.8 2.5 2.7 2.2 2.4 3.7%
3.8%
75 to 84 years 7.8 10.0 5.8 6.5 5.5 6.1 7.8%
10.0%
65 to 74 years 12.4 15.4 8.8 10.2 8.6 9.8 12.4%
15.4%
50 to 64 years 21.3 22.7 18.5 19.8 18.1 19.4 21.3%
22.7%
35 to 49 years 19.4 15.5 21.7 19.7 21.3 19.4 19.4%
15.5%
25 to 34 years 9.4 9.9 12.4 12.4 13.5 13.6 9.4%
9.9%
20 to 24 years 4.9 4.2 6.2 5.6 6.8 6.0 4.9%
4.2%
16 to 19 years 4.7 3.5 5.0 4.5 5.1 4.6 4.7%
3.5%
10 to 15 years 7.0 6.0 7.2 7.3 7.0 7.2 7.0%
6.0%
5 to 9 years 4.7 4.9 5.7 6.0 5.6 5.9 4.7%
4.9%
4 years and under 4.6 4.0 6.2 5.3 6.3 5.4 4.6%
4.0%

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

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Family on the Isle of Wight

The percentage of lone-parent households fell on the Isle of Wight, but rose across the South East.

On the Isle of Wight, the percentage of households including a lone parent fell from 10.1% in 2011 to 9.6% in 2021. During the same period, the regional percentage increased from 9.2% to 9.7%.

The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children on the Isle of Wight fell from 16.2% to 13.5%, while the percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children increased from 5.0% to 5.7%.

The percentage of households including a lone parent on the Isle of Wight decreased by 0.5 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Isle of Wight_% 2021_Isle of Wight_% 2011_South East_% 2021_South East_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Isle of Wight Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 16.5 18.0 12.7 13.2 12.4 12.8 16.5%
18.0%
One-person household: Other 16.2 16.7 16.1 15.2 17.9 17.3 16.2%
16.7%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 18.9 17.5 18.7 17.4 17.6 16.8 18.9%
17.5%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 16.2 13.5 21.0 20.6 19.3 18.9 16.2%
13.5%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 5.0 5.7 6.0 6.5 6.1 6.3 5.0%
5.7%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 10.1 9.6 9.2 9.7 10.6 11.1 10.1%
9.6%
Other household types 17.1 19.0 16.3 17.4 16.1 16.9 17.1%
19.0%

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

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Disability on the Isle of Wight

The age-standardised proportion of non-disabled residents fell here, but rose across the South East.

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.

On the Isle of Wight, the proportion of non-disabled residents fell from 79.8% in 2011 to 78.7% in 2021. During the same period, the regional proportion increased from 83.4% to 83.9%.

The percentage of people who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot on the Isle of Wight fell from 9.1% to 8.8%, while the percentage of people who were identified as being disabled and limited a little increased from 11.1% to 12.5%.

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 non-disabled residents on the Isle of Wight 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_Isle of Wight_% 2021_Isle of Wight_% 2011_South East_% 2021_South East_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Isle of Wight Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 9.1 8.8 7.2 6.2 9.1 7.5 9.1%
8.8%
Disabled and limited a little 11.1 12.5 9.4 9.9 10.2 10.2 11.1%
12.5%
Not disabled 79.8 78.7 83.4 83.9 80.7 82.3 79.8%
78.7%

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

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Health on Isle of Wight

In 2021, 43.8% of Isle of Wight residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 43.1% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 36.4% to 36.1%. 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 Isle of Wight residents describing their health as "very bad" remained 1.3%, while those describing their health as "bad" remained 4.5%.

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 very good health on the Isle of Wight increased by 0.7 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Isle of Wight_% 2021_Isle of Wight_% 2011_South East_% 2021_South East_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Isle of Wight Percentage in undefined
Very good health 43.1 43.8 47.5 49.6 45.0 47.5 43.1%
43.8%
Good health 36.4 36.1 35.3 34.4 34.8 34.2 36.4%
36.1%
Fair health 14.7 14.3 12.7 11.8 14.2 13.0 14.7%
14.3%
Bad health 4.5 4.5 3.6 3.3 4.6 4.1 4.5%
4.5%
Very bad health 1.3 1.3 1.0 0.9 1.4 1.2 1.3%
1.3%

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

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Unpaid care on the Isle of Wight

In 2021, 4.8% of Isle of Wight residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 7.5% 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.

The decrease in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care on the Isle of Wight (2.7 percentage points) was similar to the decrease across the South East (2.8 percentage points, from 7.3% 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 on the Isle of Wight decreased by 2.7 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_Isle of Wight_% 2021_Isle of Wight_% 2011_South East_% 2021_South East_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Isle of Wight Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 88.0 89.9 89.3 91.6 88.7 91.1 88.0%
89.9%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 7.5 4.8 7.3 4.5 7.2 4.4 7.5%
4.8%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 1.5 2.0 1.2 1.6 1.5 1.8 1.5%
2.0%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 2.9 3.3 2.2 2.4 2.7 2.7 2.9%
3.3%

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

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Religion on the Isle of Wight

In 2021, 43.9% of Isle of Wight residents reported having "No religion", up from 29.6% in 2011. The rise of 14.3 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in the Isle of Wight. 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 East, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 27.7% to 40.2%, while across England the percentage increased from 24.8% to 36.7%.

In 2021, 47.7% of people on the Isle of Wight described themselves as Christian (down from 60.5%), while 6.5% did not state their religion (down from 8.2% 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, 43.9% of usual residents on the Isle of Wight reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Isle of Wight_% 2021_Isle of Wight_% 2011_South East_% 2021_South East_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Isle of Wight Percentage in undefined
No religion 29.6 43.9 27.7 40.2 24.8 36.7 29.6%
43.9%
Christian 60.5 47.7 59.8 46.5 59.4 46.3 60.5%
47.7%
Buddhist 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.3%
0.4%
Hindu 0.2 0.2 1.1 1.7 1.5 1.8 0.2%
0.2%
Jewish 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.1%
0.1%
Muslim 0.4 0.4 2.3 3.3 5.0 6.7 0.4%
0.4%
Sikh 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.0%
0.0%
Other 0.7 0.8 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.7%
0.8%
Not answered 8.2 6.5 7.4 6.1 7.1 6.0 8.2%
6.5%

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

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Isle of Wight residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 128,500 Isle of Wight residents said they were born in England. This represented 91.5% of the local population. The figure has risen from around 127,400 in 2011, which at the time represented 92.2% of the Isle of Wight's population.

Scotland was the next most represented, with just over 1,500 Isle of Wight residents reporting this country of birth (1.1%). This figure was down from just under 1,700 in 2011, which at the time represented 1.2% of the population of the Isle of Wight.

The number of Isle of Wight residents born in Wales fell from around 1,500 in 2011 (1.1% of the local population) to just over 1,400 in 2021 (1.0%).

In 2021, 91.5% of the Isle of Wight residents reported their country of birth as England

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Isle of Wight_% 2021_Isle of Wight_% 2011_South East_% 2021_South East_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Isle of Wight Percentage in undefined
England 92.2 91.5 84.8 81.7 83.5 80.3 92.2%
91.5%
Scotland 1.2 1.1 1.6 1.3 1.3 1.1 1.2%
1.1%
Wales 1.1 1.0 1.1 0.9 1.0 0.8 1.1%
1.0%
Germany 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5%
0.5%
Poland 0.4 0.5 0.9 1.2 1.1 1.3 0.4%
0.5%

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

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Ethnic groups on the Isle of Wight

In 2021, 1.2% of the Isle of Wight residents identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category, up from 1.1% in 2011. The 0.1 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.

Across the South East, the percentage of people from the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" ethnic group increased from 5.2% to 7.0%, while across England the percentage increased from 7.8% to 9.6%.

In 2021, 97.0% of people on the Isle of Wight identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 97.3% in 2011), while 1.2% identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category (also 1.2% the previous decade).

The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Other" category ("Arab" or "Any other ethnic group") increased from 0.1% in 2011 to 0.3% 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, 1.2% of usual residents on the Isle of Wight 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_Isle of Wight_% 2021_Isle of Wight_% 2011_South East_% 2021_South East_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Isle of Wight Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 1.1 1.2 5.2 7.0 7.8 9.6 1.1%
1.2%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 0.2 0.3 1.6 2.4 3.5 4.2 0.2%
0.3%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 1.2 1.2 1.9 2.8 2.3 3.0 1.2%
1.2%
White 97.3 97.0 90.7 86.3 85.4 81.0 97.3%
97.0%
Other ethnic groups 0.1 0.3 0.6 1.5 1.0 2.2 0.1%
0.3%

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

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National identity on the Isle of Wight

In 2021, 3.3% of Isle of Wight residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 2.6% in 2011.

In 2021, 1.0% of residents identified with a UK and non-UK national identity, compared with 0.5% in 2011. The percentage of residents on the Isle of Wight that identified as "British only" increased from 14.6% to 55.5%.

The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK was greater across the South East (1.6 percentage points, from 7.1% to 8.7%) than on the Isle of Wight (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 on the Isle of Wight increased by 0.7 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Isle of Wight_% 2021_Isle of Wight_% 2011_South East_% 2021_South East_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Isle of Wight Percentage in undefined
British only identity 14.6 55.5 17.9 56.7 19.2 56.8 14.6%
55.5%
Welsh only identity 0.7 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.3 0.7%
0.4%
Welsh and British only identity 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1%
0.2%
English only identity 69.6 21.4 61.8 16.2 60.4 15.3 69.6%
21.4%
English and British only identity 10.7 17.3 9.9 14.6 9.1 14.3 10.7%
17.3%
Any other combination of only UK identities 1.3 0.9 1.6 1.1 1.6 1.1 1.3%
0.9%
Non-UK identity only 2.6 3.3 7.1 8.7 8.2 10.0 2.6%
3.3%
UK identity and non-UK identity 0.5 1.0 0.9 2.2 0.9 2.0 0.5%
1.0%

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

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More adults never married or in a civil partnership

Of Isle of Wight residents aged 16 years and over, 31.0% said they had never been married or in a civil partnership in 2021, up from 28.3% in 2011.

In 2021, just under one in two people (46.4%) said they were married or in a registered civil partnership, compared with 48.4% in 2011. The percentage of adults on the Isle of Wight that had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership increased from 11.6% to 12.0%.

The increase in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership on the Isle of Wight (2.7 percentage points) was similar to the increase across the South East (2.9 percentage points, from 31.9% 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 on the Isle of Wight increased by 2.7 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Isle of Wight_% 2021_Isle of Wight_% 2011_South East_% 2021_South East_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Isle of Wight Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 28.3 31.0 31.9 34.8 34.6 37.9 28.3%
31.0%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 48.4 46.4 49.6 47.6 46.8 44.7 48.4%
46.4%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 2.6 2.4 2.5 2.1 2.7 2.2 2.6%
2.4%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 11.6 12.0 9.1 9.3 9.0 9.1 11.6%
12.0%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 9.2 8.2 6.9 6.1 6.9 6.1 9.2%
8.2%

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

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Fall in employment

Of Isle of Wight residents aged 16 years and over, 47.5% said they were employed (excluding full-time students) in 2021, down from 50.2% in 2011.

In 2021, just over 1 in 40 people (2.6%) said they were unemployed, compared with 3.8% in 2011. The percentage of retired the Isle of Wight residents increased from 30.6% to 33.2%.

This area had the region’s third lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed. Across the region, only Canterbury (46.8%) and Rother (46.9%) had a lower percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed.

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) on the Isle of Wight decreased by 2.7 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Isle of Wight_% 2021_Isle of Wight_% 2011_South East_% 2021_South East_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Isle of Wight Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 50.2 47.5 59.0 57.6 56.5 55.7 50.2%
47.5%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 3.8 2.6 3.1 2.5 4.0 2.9 3.8%
2.6%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 1.4 0.9 2.4 1.6 2.4 1.7 1.4%
0.9%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 0.5 0.3 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.5%
0.3%
Economically inactive: Retired 30.6 33.2 21.8 22.5 21.2 21.5 30.6%
33.2%
Economically inactive: Student 3.2 3.1 4.7 5.1 5.3 5.6 3.2%
3.1%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 3.4 4.0 4.0 4.4 4.0 4.8 3.4%
4.0%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 4.0 5.1 2.7 3.1 3.8 4.1 4.0%
5.1%
Economically inactive: Other 2.8 3.2 1.8 2.7 2.2 3.1 2.8%
3.2%

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

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More adults worked short hours

In 2021, 12.5% of Isle of Wight residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked 15 hours or less per week. This figure increased from 11.1% in 2011.

In 2021, just over 1 in 11 people (9.2%) said they worked over 49 hours per week, compared with 11.0% in 2011. The percentage of adults in employment working 31 to 48 hours per week decreased from 53.7% to 53.1%.

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 was greater on the Isle of Wight (1.5 percentage points) than across the South East (0.5 percentage points, from 10.4% to 11.0%). 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 on the Isle of Wight increased by 1.5 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_Isle of Wight_% 2021_Isle of Wight_% 2011_South East_% 2021_South East_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Isle of Wight Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 11.1 12.5 10.4 11.0 9.7 10.3 11.1%
12.5%
16 to 30 hours worked 24.3 25.2 18.4 18.6 19.5 19.5 24.3%
25.2%
31 to 48 hours worked 53.7 53.1 56.6 58.6 57.5 59.1 53.7%
53.1%
49 or more hours worked 11.0 9.2 14.6 11.9 13.3 11.1 11.0%
9.2%

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

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Change in housing on the Isle of Wight

Of Isle of Wight households, 67.6% owned their home in 2021, down from 70.1% in 2011.

In 2021, just over one in five households (20.7%) rented privately, compared with 17.4% in 2011. The percentage of the Isle of Wight households that lived in a socially rented property increased from 10.7% to 10.9%.

The decrease in the percentage of households that owned their home was greater on the Isle of Wight (2.4 percentage points) than across the South East (2.0 percentage points, from 67.6% to 65.7%). Across England, the percentage fell by 2.0 percentage points, from 63.3% to 61.3%.

The rate of home ownership on the Isle of Wight decreased by 2.4 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Isle of Wight_% 2021_Isle of Wight_% 2011_South East_% 2021_South East_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Isle of Wight Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 70.1 67.6 67.6 65.7 63.3 61.3 70.1%
67.6%
Shared ownership 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.4 0.8 1.0 0.6%
0.8%
Social rented 10.7 10.9 13.7 13.6 17.7 17.1 10.7%
10.9%
Private rented 17.4 20.7 16.3 19.2 16.8 20.5 17.4%
20.7%
Lives rent free 1.2 0.0 1.3 0.1 1.3 0.1 1.2%
0.0%

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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