The population reached nearly 190,000
Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Bedford increased by 17.6%, from around 157,500 in 2011 to around 185,200 in 2021.
This means Bedford's population saw the largest percentage increase in the East of England. The population of the East of England increased by 8.3%, while the population of England rose by 6.6%.
In 2021, Bedford was home to around 2.8 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 2.4 in 2011. This area was among the lowest 40% 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 higher in Bedford than across the East of England
Percentage population change, Bedford and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% East of England ▲8.3% Bedford ▲17.6%| -2 | -0.5 | 0.5 | +2 | +8 | +16% |
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Median age stable in Bedford
The latest census data also show that the average (median) age remained 39 years in Bedford 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 slightly 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 just over 6,600 (an increase of 23.3%), while the number of residents between 16 and 19 years fell by around 200 (2.2% decrease).
The share of residents aged between 50 and 64 years increased by 0.9 percentage points between 2011 and 2021
Percentage of usual residents
by age group,
| 85 years and over | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.2%
2.3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 to 84 years | 5.5 | 5.4 | 6.0 | 6.6 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 5.5%
5.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 8.1 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 10.3 | 8.6 | 9.8 | 8.1%
9.0% |
| 50 to 64 years | 18.1 | 18.9 | 18.7 | 19.6 | 18.1 | 19.4 | 18.1%
18.9% |
| 35 to 49 years | 21.7 | 20.8 | 21.5 | 19.5 | 21.3 | 19.4 | 21.7%
20.8% |
| 25 to 34 years | 13.0 | 13.7 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 13.5 | 13.6 | 13.0%
13.7% |
| 20 to 24 years | 6.1 | 5.4 | 6.0 | 5.4 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 6.1%
5.4% |
| 16 to 19 years | 5.3 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 5.3%
4.4% |
| 10 to 15 years | 7.7 | 7.7 | 7.2 | 7.2 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.7%
7.7% |
| 5 to 9 years | 6.0 | 6.3 | 5.6 | 6.0 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 6.0%
6.3% |
| 4 years and under | 6.4 | 6.0 | 6.2 | 5.5 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 6.4%
6.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Employment in Bedford
The percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed increased in Bedford, but fell across the East of England.
In Bedford, the percentage who were employed rose from 58.1% in 2011 to 59.7% in 2021. During the same period, the regional percentage fell from 58.4% to 57.3%.
The percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were unemployed (excluding full-time students) in Bedford fell from 4.0% to 2.8%, while the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were retired (economically inactive) decreased from 20.4% to 19.8%.
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) in Bedford increased by 1.6 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by economic activity status,
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment | 58.1 | 59.7 | 58.4 | 57.3 | 56.5 | 55.7 | 58.1%
59.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed | 4.0 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 2.9 | 4.0%
2.8% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: In employment | 2.5 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 2.5%
1.7% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.7%
0.5% |
| Economically inactive: Retired | 20.4 | 19.8 | 22.5 | 22.9 | 21.2 | 21.5 | 20.4%
19.8% |
| Economically inactive: Student | 5.0 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 5.0%
4.3% |
| Economically inactive: Looking after home or family | 3.9 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 3.9%
4.7% |
| Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled | 3.2 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 3.2%
3.4% |
| Economically inactive: Other | 2.2 | 3.2 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 3.1 | 2.2%
3.2% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Bedford stood out from other areas for working hours
The percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week fell here, but rose across the East of England.
In Bedford, the percentage that worked 15 hours or less in a week fell from 10.3% in 2011 to 9.7% in 2021. During the same period, the regional percentage increased from 10.4% to 10.8%.
The percentage of adults in employment who worked 49 hours or more in Bedford fell from 13.6% to 11.1%, while the percentage of adults in employment who worked 31 to 48 hours increased from 57.5% to 61.6%.
Working hours may have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less in Bedford decreased by 0.6 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 | 10.3 | 9.7 | 10.4 | 10.8 | 9.7 | 10.3 | 10.3%
9.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 to 30 hours worked | 18.6 | 17.6 | 18.6 | 18.9 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 18.6%
17.6% |
| 31 to 48 hours worked | 57.5 | 61.6 | 56.7 | 58.4 | 57.5 | 59.1 | 57.5%
61.6% |
| 49 or more hours worked | 13.6 | 11.1 | 14.3 | 11.9 | 13.3 | 11.1 | 13.6%
11.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Family in Bedford
The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children increased in this area, but fell across the East of England.
In Bedford, the percentage of households including a couple with dependent children rose from 20.9% in 2011 to 21.3% in 2021. During the same period, the regional percentage fell from 21.0% to 20.2%.
The percentage of households including a couple without children in Bedford fell from 17.3% to 16.4%, while the percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children increased from 6.2% to 6.4%.
The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children in Bedford increased by 0.4 percentage points
Percentage of households
by household composition,
| One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) | 11.9 | 11.5 | 12.7 | 13.2 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 11.9%
11.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-person household: Other | 16.9 | 17.1 | 15.8 | 15.7 | 17.9 | 17.3 | 16.9%
17.1% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children | 17.3 | 16.4 | 19.0 | 17.2 | 17.6 | 16.8 | 17.3%
16.4% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children | 20.9 | 21.3 | 21.0 | 20.2 | 19.3 | 18.9 | 20.9%
21.3% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent | 6.2 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.2%
6.4% |
| Single-family household: Lone-parent household | 11.0 | 11.3 | 9.4 | 10.2 | 10.6 | 11.1 | 11.0%
11.3% |
| Other household types | 15.7 | 16.0 | 15.8 | 16.8 | 16.1 | 16.9 | 15.7%
16.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Unpaid care in Bedford
Bedford saw the East of England's joint third-largest percentage-point fall (alongside Cambridge, Brentwood and Babergh) in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care (from 7.6% in 2011 to 4.4% 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 Rochford (from 8.0% to 4.7%) and Dacorum (from 8.0% to 4.7%) 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 East of England 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 7.3% to 4.5%.
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 Bedford decreased by 3.2 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 | 88.6 | 91.5 | 88.9 | 91.3 | 88.7 | 91.1 | 88.6%
91.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 19 hours of unpaid care | 7.6 | 4.4 | 7.3 | 4.5 | 7.2 | 4.4 | 7.6%
4.4% |
| 20 to 49 hours of unpaid care | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.5%
1.8% |
| 50 or more hours of unpaid care | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.3%
2.3% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Rise in private renting
Of Bedford households, 19.1% rented privately in 2021, up from 15.8% in 2011.
In 2021, just under one in six households (16.3%) lived in socially rented housing, compared with 16.1% in 2011. The percentage of Bedford households that owned their home (outright or with a mortgage or loan) decreased from 65.7% to 62.7%.
The increase in the percentage of privately-rented homes in Bedford (3.3 percentage points) was similar to the increase 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 Bedford increased by 3.3 percentage points
Percentage of households
by housing tenure,
| Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan | 65.7 | 62.7 | 67.6 | 65.2 | 63.3 | 61.3 | 65.7%
62.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared ownership | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.0%
1.9% |
| Social rented | 16.1 | 16.3 | 15.7 | 15.5 | 17.7 | 17.1 | 16.1%
16.3% |
| Private rented | 15.8 | 19.1 | 14.7 | 18.2 | 16.8 | 20.5 | 15.8%
19.1% |
| Lives rent free | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.3%
0.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Religion in Bedford
In 2021, 34.1% of Bedford residents reported having "No religion", up from 23.6% in 2011. The rise of 10.5 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in Bedford. 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, 47.6% of people in Bedford described themselves as Christian (down from 59.3%), while 7.1% described themselves as Muslim (up from 5.5% 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, 34.1% of usual residents in Bedford reported having "No religion"
Percentage of usual residents
by religion,
| No religion | 23.6 | 34.1 | 27.9 | 40.2 | 24.8 | 36.7 | 23.6%
34.1% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian | 59.3 | 47.6 | 59.7 | 46.6 | 59.4 | 46.3 | 59.3%
47.6% |
| Buddhist | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.3%
0.3% |
| Hindu | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.5%
1.6% |
| Jewish | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.1%
0.1% |
| Muslim | 5.5 | 7.1 | 2.5 | 3.7 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 5.5%
7.1% |
| Sikh | 2.1 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 2.1%
2.2% |
| Other | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.0%
1.1% |
| Not answered | 6.6 | 5.8 | 7.3 | 6.1 | 7.1 | 6.0 | 6.6%
5.8% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Bedford residents' country of birth
In the latest census, around 141,800 Bedford residents said they were born in England. This represented 76.5% of the local population. The figure has risen from around 125,500 in 2011, which at the time represented 79.7% of Bedford's population.
Poland was the next most represented, with just under 5,700 Bedford residents reporting this country of birth (3.1%). This figure was up from around 4,000 in 2011, which at the time represented 2.5% of the population of Bedford.
The number of Bedford residents born in India rose from around 3,600 in 2011 (2.3% of the local population) to just under 4,400 in 2021 (2.4%).
In 2021, 76.5% of Bedford residents reported their country of birth as England
Percentage of usual residents
by country of birth,
| England | 79.7 | 76.5 | 86.6 | 83.1 | 83.5 | 80.3 | 79.7%
76.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 2.5 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 2.5%
3.1% |
| India | 2.3 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 2.3%
2.4% |
| Romania | 0.2 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.2%
1.8% |
| Italy | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 1.4%
1.3% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
Notes:
- This chart shows the five most common countries of birth in Bedford in 2021
- Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings
| |
National identity in Bedford
In 2021, 12.8% of Bedford residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 11.2% in 2011.
In 2021, just under 1 in 40 people (2.4%) identified with a UK and non-UK national identity, compared with 1.3% in 2011. The percentage of residents in Bedford that identified as "British only" increased from 22.0% to 56.4%.
The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK was greater across the East of England (2.1 percentage points, from 6.9% to 9.0%) than in Bedford (1.6 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 in Bedford increased by 1.6 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents
by national identity,
| British only identity | 22.0 | 56.4 | 16.2 | 54.4 | 19.2 | 56.8 | 22.0%
56.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welsh only identity | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.5%
0.3% |
| Welsh and British only identity | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1%
0.1% |
| English only identity | 55.3 | 15.3 | 64.8 | 18.4 | 60.4 | 15.3 | 55.3%
15.3% |
| English and British only identity | 8.0 | 11.8 | 9.4 | 15.1 | 9.1 | 14.3 | 8.0%
11.8% |
| Any other combination of only UK identities | 1.6 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.6%
0.9% |
| Non-UK identity only | 11.2 | 12.8 | 6.9 | 9.0 | 8.2 | 10.0 | 11.2%
12.8% |
| UK identity and non-UK identity | 1.3 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 1.3%
2.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
More adults never married or in a civil partnership
Of Bedford residents aged 16 years and over, 35.9% said they had never been married or in a civil partnership in 2021, up from 31.9% in 2011.
In 2021, just under one in two people (46.4%) said they were married or in a registered civil partnership, compared with 49.4% in 2011. The percentage of adults in Bedford that had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership increased from 9.2% to 9.4%.
The increase in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership in Bedford (3.9 percentage points) was similar to the increase 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 Bedford increased by 3.9 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by legal partnership status,
| Never married and never registered a civil partnership | 31.9 | 35.9 | 31.1 | 34.8 | 34.6 | 37.9 | 31.9%
35.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Married or in a registered civil partnership | 49.4 | 46.4 | 50.1 | 47.2 | 46.8 | 44.7 | 49.4%
46.4% |
| Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership | 2.8 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 2.8%
2.4% |
| Divorced or civil partnership dissolved | 9.2 | 9.4 | 9.2 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 9.2%
9.4% |
| Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner | 6.7 | 5.9 | 7.0 | 6.3 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 6.7%
5.9% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Disability in Bedford
In 2021, 6.6% of Bedford residents were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. This figure decreased from 7.9% 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 10 people (9.7%) were identified as being disabled and limited a little, compared with 9.8% in 2011. The proportion of Bedford residents who were not disabled increased from 82.3% to 83.7%.
The decrease in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot in Bedford (1.3 percentage points) was similar to the decrease across the East of England (1.2 percentage points, from 7.8% to 6.6%). 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 Bedford decreased by 1.3 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by long-term health condition or illness,
| Disabled and limited a lot | 7.9 | 6.6 | 7.8 | 6.6 | 9.1 | 7.5 | 7.9%
6.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled and limited a little | 9.8 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 10.0 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 9.8%
9.7% |
| Not disabled | 82.3 | 83.7 | 82.5 | 83.4 | 80.7 | 82.3 | 82.3%
83.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Health in Bedford
In 2021, 46.9% of Bedford residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 44.3% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 36.8% to 35.7%. 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 Bedford residents describing their health as "very bad" was 1.0% (similar to 2011), while those describing their health as "bad" was 3.7% (similar to 2011).
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 Bedford increased by 2.6 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by self-reported health,
| Very good health | 44.3 | 46.9 | 45.8 | 47.9 | 45.0 | 47.5 | 44.3%
46.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good health | 36.8 | 35.7 | 35.8 | 35.0 | 34.8 | 34.2 | 36.8%
35.7% |
| Fair health | 13.8 | 12.6 | 13.5 | 12.5 | 14.2 | 13.0 | 13.8%
12.6% |
| Bad health | 3.9 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 3.9%
3.7% |
| Very bad health | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.1%
1.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Ethnic groups in Bedford
In 2021, 5.3% of Bedford residents identified their ethnic group within the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category, up from 3.9% in 2011. The 1.4 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, 75.7% of people in Bedford identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 80.5% in 2011), while 12.6% identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category (compared with 11.4% the previous decade).
The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category increased from 3.4% in 2011 to 4.6% 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, 5.3% of usual residents in Bedford identified their ethnic group within the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category
Percentage of usual residents
by ethnic group,
| Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh | 11.4 | 12.6 | 4.8 | 6.4 | 7.8 | 9.6 | 11.4%
12.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African | 3.9 | 5.3 | 2.0 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 3.9%
5.3% |
| Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups | 3.4 | 4.6 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 3.4%
4.6% |
| White | 80.5 | 75.7 | 90.8 | 86.5 | 85.4 | 81.0 | 80.5%
75.7% |
| Other ethnic groups | 0.7 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.7%
1.8% |
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
Supporting information | Released 2 November 2022
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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Contact
census.customerservices@ons.gov.ukTelephone: +44 1329 44 4972