The Isles of Scilly's population decreased
Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of the Isles of Scilly fell by 6.8%, from just over 2,200 in 2011 to around 2,100 in 2021.
This means the Isles of Scilly was the only local authority area in the South West to see its population decline. The regional population increased by 7.8%, while the population of England increased by 6.6%.
In 2021, the Isles of Scilly was home to around 0.9 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 1.0 in 2011. This area was among the lowest 10% 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.
Measures for areas with small populations, such as the Isles of Scilly, may be less robust than larger local authorities.
The population of the Isles of Scilly decreased by around 6.8%
Percentage population change, Isles of Scilly and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% South West ▲7.8% Isles of Scilly ▼-6.8%| -2 | -0.5 | 0.5 | +2 | +8 | +16% |
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An older Isles of Scilly
Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of the Isles of Scilly increased by four years, from 46 to 50 years of age.
This area had a higher average (median) age than the South West as a whole in 2021 (44 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 75 to 84 years rose by just under 60 (an increase of 35.8%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by around 100 (20.4% decrease).
The share of residents aged between 75 and 84 years increased by 3.4 percentage points between 2011 and 2021
Percentage of usual residents
by age group,
| 85 years and over | 3.2 | 3.8 | 2.9 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 3.2%
3.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 to 84 years | 7.5 | 10.9 | 6.6 | 7.6 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 7.5%
10.9% |
| 65 to 74 years | 12.3 | 13.5 | 10.1 | 11.7 | 8.6 | 9.8 | 12.3%
13.5% |
| 50 to 64 years | 21.3 | 21.9 | 19.6 | 20.4 | 18.1 | 19.4 | 21.3%
21.9% |
| 35 to 49 years | 21.6 | 18.4 | 20.6 | 17.9 | 21.3 | 19.4 | 21.6%
18.4% |
| 25 to 34 years | 11.9 | 10.4 | 11.4 | 12.1 | 13.5 | 13.6 | 11.9%
10.4% |
| 20 to 24 years | 5.0 | 4.0 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 5.0%
4.0% |
| 16 to 19 years | 1.5 | 1.4 | 5.0 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 1.5%
1.4% |
| 10 to 15 years | 6.2 | 5.9 | 6.8 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 6.2%
5.9% |
| 5 to 9 years | 4.8 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 4.8%
5.2% |
| 4 years and under | 4.8 | 4.7 | 5.6 | 4.8 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 4.8%
4.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Isles of Scilly residents' country of birth
In the latest census, around 1,900 Isles of Scilly residents said they were born in England. This represented 91.6% of the local population. The figure has decreased from just under 2,000 in 2011, which at the time represented 90.0% of the Isles of Scilly's population.
Wales was the next most represented, with fewer than 50 Isles of Scilly residents reporting this country of birth (1.5%). This figure has remained relatively unchanged from 2011.
The number of Isles of Scilly residents born in Scotland remained close to fewer than 50 between the last two census (from 1.5% of the local population in 2011 to 1.2% in 2021)
In 2021, 91.6% of the Isles of Scilly residents reported their country of birth as England
Percentage of usual residents
by country of birth,
| England | 90.0 | 91.6 | 88.6 | 86.4 | 83.5 | 80.3 | 90.0%
91.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wales | 2.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 2.0%
1.5% |
| Scotland | 1.5 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.5%
1.2% |
| Poland | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.7%
1.0% |
| Countries that joined the EU between April 2001 and March 2011 (other than Poland, Croatia, Lithuania and Romania) | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.8%
0.8% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
Notes:
- This chart shows the five most common countries of birth on Isles of Scilly in 2021
- Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings
| |
Rise in home ownership
The Isles of Scilly saw England's largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of households that owned their home (from 41.7% in 2011 to 44.5% in 2021).
Hastings saw the country's next largest increase in the percentage of households that owned their home (from 55.2% in 2011 to 56.6% in 2021).
Despite the increase, the Isles of Scilly was in the lowest 10% of English local authority areas for the share of households that owned their home in 2021.
The rate of home ownership on the Isles of Scilly increased by 2.9 percentage points
Percentage of households
by housing tenure,
| Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan | 41.7 | 44.5 | 67.4 | 65.9 | 63.3 | 61.3 | 41.7%
44.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared ownership | 0.8 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.8%
1.5% |
| Social rented | 18.1 | 17.3 | 13.3 | 13.3 | 17.7 | 17.1 | 18.1%
17.3% |
| Private rented | 29.7 | 36.6 | 17.1 | 19.7 | 16.8 | 20.5 | 29.7%
36.6% |
| Lives rent free | 9.7 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 9.7%
0.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Fewer couples with non-dependent children
The Isles of Scilly saw England's largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of households including a couple with only non-dependent children (from 4.8% in 2011 to 2.2% in 2021).
North East Derbyshire saw the country's next largest decrease in the percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children (from 7.8% in 2011 to 6.9% in 2021).
The percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children on the Isles of Scilly decreased by 2.5 percentage points
Percentage of households
by household composition,
| One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) | 15.2 | 17.2 | 13.8 | 14.6 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 15.2%
17.2% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-person household: Other | 18.8 | 15.4 | 16.5 | 15.7 | 17.9 | 17.3 | 18.8%
15.4% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children | 23.9 | 23.8 | 19.7 | 18.5 | 17.6 | 16.8 | 23.9%
23.8% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children | 15.9 | 13.9 | 18.6 | 17.9 | 19.3 | 18.9 | 15.9%
13.9% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent | 4.8 | 2.2 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 4.8%
2.2% |
| Single-family household: Lone-parent household | 3.4 | 5.6 | 8.9 | 9.1 | 10.6 | 11.1 | 3.4%
5.6% |
| Other household types | 18.1 | 21.9 | 16.9 | 18.3 | 16.1 | 16.9 | 18.1%
21.9% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Fall in employment
The Isles of Scilly saw England's largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed (from 72.1% in 2011 to 63.7% in 2021).
Richmondshire saw the country's next largest decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed (from 64.1% in 2011 to 58.1% in 2021).
Despite the decrease, the Isles of Scilly was in the highest 2% of English local authority areas for the share of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed in 2021.
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 Isles of Scilly decreased by 8.4 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by economic activity status,
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment | 72.1 | 63.7 | 56.9 | 55.3 | 56.5 | 55.7 | 72.1%
63.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed | 1.0 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 4.0 | 2.9 | 1.0%
0.8% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: In employment | 0.3 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 0.3%
0.6% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.1%
0.1% |
| Economically inactive: Retired | 21.7 | 26.7 | 24.7 | 25.6 | 21.2 | 21.5 | 21.7%
26.7% |
| Economically inactive: Student | 0.7 | 1.2 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 0.7%
1.2% |
| Economically inactive: Looking after home or family | 1.5 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 1.5%
3.4% |
| Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled | 0.8 | 1.3 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 0.8%
1.3% |
| Economically inactive: Other | 1.8 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 3.1 | 1.8%
2.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Unpaid care on the Isles of Scilly
In 2021, 5.6% of Isles of Scilly residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 7.1% 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.
This area had the country's joint highest proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care (alongside Gedling). Staffordshire Moorlands had England's next-highest proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care (5.5%), while Newham had the country's lowest proportion (2.8%).
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 Isles of Scilly decreased by 1.5 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents (aged five years and over)
by hours per week of unpaid care provision,
| Does not provide weekly unpaid care | 90.4 | 90.4 | 88.6 | 91.0 | 88.7 | 91.1 | 90.4%
90.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 19 hours of unpaid care | 7.1 | 5.6 | 7.5 | 4.7 | 7.2 | 4.4 | 7.1%
5.6% |
| 20 to 49 hours of unpaid care | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.9%
1.4% |
| 50 or more hours of unpaid care | 1.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 1.5%
2.5% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
More adults worked short hours
The Isles of Scilly saw England's largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week (from 7.4% in 2011 to 12.0% in 2021).
Haringey saw the country's next largest 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 (from 8.8% in 2011 to 12.3% in 2021).
Working hours may have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less on the Isles of Scilly increased by 4.7 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over and in employment
by the number of hours worked per week,
| 15 hours or less worked | 7.4 | 12.0 | 10.8 | 11.3 | 9.7 | 10.3 | 7.4%
12.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 to 30 hours worked | 18.5 | 19.0 | 20.7 | 21.0 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 18.5%
19.0% |
| 31 to 48 hours worked | 55.7 | 53.6 | 55.2 | 57.0 | 57.5 | 59.1 | 55.7%
53.6% |
| 49 or more hours worked | 18.5 | 15.4 | 13.3 | 10.8 | 13.3 | 11.1 | 18.5%
15.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Religion on the Isles of Scilly
In 2021, 46.3% of Isles of Scilly residents reported having "No religion", up from 33.7% in 2011. The rise of 12.6 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in the Isles of Scilly. 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, 47.1% of people on the Isles of Scilly described themselves as Christian (down from 55.3%), while 6.1% did not state their religion (down from 9.7% 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, 46.3% of usual residents on the Isles of Scilly reported having "No religion"
Percentage of usual residents
by religion,
| No religion | 33.7 | 46.3 | 29.3 | 44.1 | 24.8 | 36.7 | 33.7%
46.3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian | 55.3 | 47.1 | 60.4 | 46.2 | 59.4 | 46.3 | 55.3%
47.1% |
| Buddhist | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.4%
0.1% |
| Hindu | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.0%
0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2%
0.0% |
| Muslim | 0.1 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 0.1%
0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.0%
0.0% |
| Other | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.5%
0.3% |
| Not answered | 9.7 | 6.1 | 7.9 | 6.5 | 7.1 | 6.0 | 9.7%
6.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Health on Isles of Scilly
In 2021, 56.6% of Isles of Scilly residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 54.5% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 32.8% to 31.0%. 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 Isles of Scilly residents describing their health as "very bad" increased from 0.5% to 0.8%, while those describing their health as "bad" rose from 2.2% to 2.5%.
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 good health on the Isles of Scilly decreased by 1.8 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by self-reported health,
| Very good health | 54.5 | 56.6 | 46.8 | 48.7 | 45.0 | 47.5 | 54.5%
56.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good health | 32.8 | 31.0 | 34.8 | 34.1 | 34.8 | 34.2 | 32.8%
31.0% |
| Fair health | 10.0 | 9.1 | 13.3 | 12.5 | 14.2 | 13.0 | 10.0%
9.1% |
| Bad health | 2.2 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 2.2%
2.5% |
| Very bad health | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.5%
0.8% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Changing relationships on the Isles of Scilly
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 nearby Cornwall (3.8 percentage points) than on the Isles of Scilly (0.3 percentage points).
On the Isles of Scilly, the percentage of adults who had never been married or in a civil partnership stayed close to 27.3% between the last two censuses. During the same period, the percentage in nearby Cornwall increased from 28.4% to 32.2%.
The percentage of adults who were married or in a civil partnership on the Isles of Scilly increased from 53.5% to 53.6%, while the percentage of adults who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership decreased from 9.5% to 9.1%.
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 Isles of Scilly increased by 0.3 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by legal partnership status,
| Never married and never registered a civil partnership | 27.1 | 27.3 | 31.1 | 34.7 | 34.6 | 37.9 | 27.1%
27.3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Married or in a registered civil partnership | 53.5 | 53.6 | 49.2 | 46.5 | 46.8 | 44.7 | 53.5%
53.6% |
| Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership | 1.7 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 1.7%
2.0% |
| Divorced or civil partnership dissolved | 9.5 | 9.1 | 9.8 | 10.1 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 9.5%
9.1% |
| Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner | 8.2 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 6.6 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 8.2%
8.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Disability on the Isles of Scilly
In 2021, 4.0% of Isles of Scilly residents were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. This figure decreased from 4.3% 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, around 1 in 12 people (8.3%) were identified as being disabled and limited a little, compared with 8.1% in 2011. The proportion of the Isles of Scilly residents who were not disabled increased from 87.6% to 87.7%.
This area had the country's second lowest proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. Across the country, only City of London, with 3.9%, had a lower proportion of people who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot.
Because of its small size, comparisons to City of London should be made with caution.
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 on the Isles of Scilly decreased by 0.3 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by long-term health condition or illness,
| Disabled and limited a lot | 4.3 | 4.0 | 8.1 | 7.0 | 9.1 | 7.5 | 4.3%
4.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled and limited a little | 8.1 | 8.3 | 10.1 | 10.8 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 8.1%
8.3% |
| Not disabled | 87.6 | 87.7 | 81.9 | 82.2 | 80.7 | 82.3 | 87.6%
87.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
National identity on the Isles of Scilly
In 2021, 4.4% of Isles of Scilly residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure was the same in 2011.
The percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK increased from 4.4% to 6.1% across the South West. Across England, the percentage increased 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.
In 2021, 4.4% of usual residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK on the Isles of Scilly
Percentage of usual residents
by national identity,
| British only identity | 19.7 | 55.4 | 16.0 | 55.5 | 19.2 | 56.8 | 19.7%
55.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welsh only identity | 1.1 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 1.1%
0.6% |
| Welsh and British only identity | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1%
0.1% |
| English only identity | 59.6 | 17.3 | 64.5 | 16.9 | 60.4 | 15.3 | 59.6%
17.3% |
| English and British only identity | 10.4 | 12.5 | 10.2 | 15.9 | 9.1 | 14.3 | 10.4%
12.5% |
| Any other combination of only UK identities | 4.0 | 7.6 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 4.0%
7.6% |
| Non-UK identity only | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 6.1 | 8.2 | 10.0 | 4.4%
4.4% |
| UK identity and non-UK identity | 0.7 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 0.7%
2.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Ethnic groups on the Isles of Scilly
In 2021, 0.9% of the Isles of Scilly residents identified their ethnic group within the "Other" category ("Arab" or "Any other ethnic group"), up from 0.2% in 2011. The 0.7 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 "Other ethnic groups" ("Arab" or "Any other ethnic group") increased from 0.3% to 0.9%, while across England the percentage increased from 1.0% to 2.2%.
In 2021, 97.5% of people on the Isles of Scilly identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 98.8% in 2011), while 1.1% identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category (compared with 0.8% the previous decade).
The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category 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, 0.9% of usual residents on the Isles of Scilly identified their ethnic group within the "Other" category ("Arab" or "Any other ethnic group")
Percentage of usual residents
by ethnic group,
| Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh | 0.1 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 7.8 | 9.6 | 0.1%
0.3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 0.1%
0.2% |
| Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups | 0.8 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 0.8%
1.1% |
| White | 98.8 | 97.5 | 95.4 | 93.1 | 85.4 | 81.0 | 98.8%
97.5% |
| Other ethnic groups | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.2%
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.
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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.
Related links
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What topic summary data for Census 2021 will be available and how to view them.
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Use our interactive map to find out what people’s lives are like across England and Wales.
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Digital Content Article | Released 2 December 2022
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