/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000008/

The population reached nearly 150,000

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Cambridge increased by 17.6%, from just under 123,900 in 2011 to around 145,700 in 2021.

This means Cambridge'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, Cambridge was home to around 25.6 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 21.7 in 2011. This area was among the top 20% 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 Cambridge than across the East of England

Percentage population change, Cambridge and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% East of England ▲8.3% Cambridge ▲17.6%
-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 Cambridge

The latest census data also show that the average (median) age remained 31 years in Cambridge between the last two censuses.

This area had the lowest average (median) age in the East of England 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 25 to 34 years rose by around 5,100 (an increase of 20.6%), while the number of residents aged 4 years and under fell by just over 350 (5.3% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 25 and 34 years increased by 0.5 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cambridge_% 2021_Cambridge_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cambridge Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 2.2 1.7 2.4 2.7 2.2 2.4 2.2%
1.7%
75 to 84 years 4.1 3.8 6.0 6.6 5.5 6.1 4.1%
3.8%
65 to 74 years 5.6 6.0 9.1 10.3 8.6 9.8 5.6%
6.0%
50 to 64 years 13.1 13.8 18.7 19.6 18.1 19.4 13.1%
13.8%
35 to 49 years 18.7 19.0 21.5 19.5 21.3 19.4 18.7%
19.0%
25 to 34 years 20.0 20.5 12.4 12.8 13.5 13.6 20.0%
20.5%
20 to 24 years 14.6 13.9 6.0 5.4 6.8 6.0 14.6%
13.9%
16 to 19 years 7.4 7.1 4.9 4.3 5.1 4.6 7.4%
7.1%
10 to 15 years 4.9 5.4 7.2 7.2 7.0 7.2 4.9%
5.4%
5 to 9 years 4.1 4.6 5.6 6.0 5.6 5.9 4.1%
4.6%
4 years and under 5.4 4.4 6.2 5.5 6.3 5.4 5.4%
4.4%

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

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Family in Cambridge

The percentage of households including a couple but no children increased in Cambridge, but fell across the East of England.

In Cambridge, the percentage of households including a couple without children rose from 17.5% in 2011 to 18.3% in 2021. During the same period, the regional percentage fell from 19.0% to 17.2%.

The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children in Cambridge increased from 17.4% to 18.0%, while the percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children increased from 3.9% to 4.0%.

The percentage of households including a couple without children in Cambridge increased by 0.8 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cambridge_% 2021_Cambridge_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cambridge Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 11.1 10.0 12.7 13.2 12.4 12.8 11.1%
10.0%
One-person household: Other 22.8 21.7 15.8 15.7 17.9 17.3 22.8%
21.7%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 17.5 18.3 19.0 17.2 17.6 16.8 17.5%
18.3%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 17.4 18.0 21.0 20.2 19.3 18.9 17.4%
18.0%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 3.9 4.0 6.4 6.6 6.1 6.3 3.9%
4.0%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 6.9 8.1 9.4 10.2 10.6 11.1 6.9%
8.1%
Other household types 20.4 19.8 15.8 16.8 16.1 16.9 20.4%
19.8%

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

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Employment in Cambridge

The percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed increased here, but fell across the East of England.

In Cambridge, the percentage who were employed rose from 51.9% in 2011 to 52.4% 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 Cambridge fell from 2.5% to 1.9%, while the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were retired (economically inactive) decreased from 13.2% to 11.7%.

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 Cambridge increased by 0.4 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cambridge_% 2021_Cambridge_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cambridge Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 51.9 52.4 58.4 57.3 56.5 55.7 51.9%
52.4%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 2.5 1.9 3.4 2.5 4.0 2.9 2.5%
1.9%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 4.5 4.2 2.1 1.5 2.4 1.7 4.5%
4.2%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 0.8 1.0 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.8%
1.0%
Economically inactive: Retired 13.2 11.7 22.5 22.9 21.2 21.5 13.2%
11.7%
Economically inactive: Student 20.3 20.6 4.2 4.5 5.3 5.6 20.3%
20.6%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 2.8 3.4 4.1 4.6 4.0 4.8 2.8%
3.4%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 2.4 2.5 2.9 3.4 3.8 4.1 2.4%
2.5%
Economically inactive: Other 1.6 2.3 1.8 2.8 2.2 3.1 1.6%
2.3%

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

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Change in work hours

In 2021, 11.1% of Cambridge residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked 15 hours or less per week. This figure increased from 10.7% in 2011.

In 2021, just over one in nine people (11.6%) said they worked over 49 hours per week, compared with 14.4% in 2011. The percentage of adults in employment working 31 to 48 hours per week increased from 58.3% to 61.9%.

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 Cambridge (0.4 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 Cambridge increased by 0.4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over and in employment by the number of hours worked per week,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cambridge_% 2021_Cambridge_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cambridge Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 10.7 11.1 10.4 10.8 9.7 10.3 10.7%
11.1%
16 to 30 hours worked 16.6 15.5 18.6 18.9 19.5 19.5 16.6%
15.5%
31 to 48 hours worked 58.3 61.9 56.7 58.4 57.5 59.1 58.3%
61.9%
49 or more hours worked 14.4 11.6 14.3 11.9 13.3 11.1 14.4%
11.6%

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

| |

Cambridge residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 86,100 Cambridge residents said they were born in England. This represented 59.1% of the local population. The figure has risen from just under 82,900 in 2011, which at the time represented 66.9% of Cambridge's population.

India was the next most represented, with around 4,000 Cambridge residents reporting this country of birth (2.7%). This figure was up from just under 2,100 in 2011, which at the time represented 1.7% of the population of Cambridge.

The number of Cambridge residents born in China rose from around 2,300 in 2011 (1.9% of the local population) to just under 3,500 in 2021 (2.4%).

In 2021, 59.1% of Cambridge residents reported their country of birth as England

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cambridge_% 2021_Cambridge_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cambridge Percentage in undefined
England 66.9 59.1 86.6 83.1 83.5 80.3 66.9%
59.1%
India 1.7 2.7 0.8 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.7%
2.7%
China 1.9 2.4 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 1.9%
2.4%
United States 1.8 2.2 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.4 1.8%
2.2%
2001 EU member states (other than Ireland, France, Germany, Italy and Portugal) 1.5 2.1 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.5 1.5%
2.1%

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

| |

Changing relationships in Cambridge

Cambridge saw the East of England's largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership (from 6.6% in 2011 to 6.0% in 2021).

Norwich saw the East of England's next largest decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership (from 10.7% in 2011 to 10.3% in 2021).

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 divorced or dissolved a civil partnership in Cambridge decreased by 0.6 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cambridge_% 2021_Cambridge_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cambridge Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 52.6 56.5 31.1 34.8 34.6 37.9 52.6%
56.5%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 34.4 32.9 50.1 47.2 46.8 44.7 34.4%
32.9%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 1.8 1.4 2.5 2.2 2.7 2.2 1.8%
1.4%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 6.6 6.0 9.2 9.5 9.0 9.1 6.6%
6.0%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 4.6 3.3 7.0 6.3 6.9 6.1 4.6%
3.3%

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

| |

Unpaid care in Cambridge

Cambridge saw the East of England's joint third-largest percentage-point fall (alongside Bedford, 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 Cambridge 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,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cambridge_% 2021_Cambridge_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cambridge Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 89.4 92.4 88.9 91.3 88.7 91.1 89.4%
92.4%
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 1.1 1.3 1.3 1.7 1.5 1.8 1.1%
1.3%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 1.8 1.9 2.4 2.5 2.7 2.7 1.8%
1.9%

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

| |

National identity in Cambridge

Cambridge saw the East of England's third-largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK (from 22.4% in 2011 to 26.9% in 2021).

Across the region, only Peterborough (from 14.6% to 19.7%) and Thurrock (from 7.6% to 12.3%) saw a greater increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK.

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 Cambridge increased by 4.5 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cambridge_% 2021_Cambridge_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cambridge Percentage in undefined
British only identity 21.2 44.2 16.2 54.4 19.2 56.8 21.2%
44.2%
Welsh only identity 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.6 0.3 0.5%
0.3%
Welsh and British only identity 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2%
0.2%
English only identity 40.7 7.9 64.8 18.4 60.4 15.3 40.7%
7.9%
English and British only identity 9.9 11.8 9.4 15.1 9.1 14.3 9.9%
11.8%
Any other combination of only UK identities 2.5 1.7 1.4 0.9 1.6 1.1 2.5%
1.7%
Non-UK identity only 22.4 26.9 6.9 9.0 8.2 10.0 22.4%
26.9%
UK identity and non-UK identity 2.7 6.9 0.8 1.9 0.9 2.0 2.7%
6.9%

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

| |

Rise in private renting

Cambridge saw the East of England's joint third-largest percentage-point rise (alongside Peterborough and Norwich) in the proportion of privately-rented homes (from 26.2% in 2011 to 31.4% in 2021).

Across the region, only Watford (from 20.1% to 28.2%) and Luton (from 22.6% to 29.0%) saw a greater increase in the percentage of privately-rented homes.

Every local authority area across the East of England saw a rise in the percentage of privately-rented homes, as the regional percentage grew from 14.7% to 18.2%.

Private renting in Cambridge increased by 5.2 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cambridge_% 2021_Cambridge_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cambridge Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 47.5 44.1 67.6 65.2 63.3 61.3 47.5%
44.1%
Shared ownership 1.1 1.7 0.7 1.0 0.8 1.0 1.1%
1.7%
Social rented 23.6 22.7 15.7 15.5 17.7 17.1 23.6%
22.7%
Private rented 26.2 31.4 14.7 18.2 16.8 20.5 26.2%
31.4%
Lives rent free 1.6 0.2 1.3 0.1 1.3 0.1 1.6%
0.2%

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

| |

Ethnic groups in Cambridge

In 2021, 14.8% of Cambridge residents identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category, up from 11.0% in 2011. The 3.9 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 "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" ethnic group increased from 4.8% to 6.4%, while across England the percentage increased from 7.8% to 9.6%.

In 2021, 74.5% of people in Cambridge identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 82.5% in 2011), while 5.1% identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category (compared with 3.2% the previous decade).

The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Other" category ("Arab" or "Any other ethnic group") increased from 1.6% in 2011 to 3.1% 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, 14.8% of usual residents in Cambridge 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_Cambridge_% 2021_Cambridge_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cambridge Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 11.0 14.8 4.8 6.4 7.8 9.6 11.0%
14.8%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 1.7 2.4 2.0 2.9 3.5 4.2 1.7%
2.4%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 3.2 5.1 1.9 2.8 2.3 3.0 3.2%
5.1%
White 82.5 74.5 90.8 86.5 85.4 81.0 82.5%
74.5%
Other ethnic groups 1.6 3.1 0.5 1.4 1.0 2.2 1.6%
3.1%

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

| |

Religion in Cambridge

In 2021, 44.7% of Cambridge residents reported having "No religion", making it the most common response in this local authority area (up from 37.8% in 2011). Because the census question about religious affiliation is voluntary and has varying response rates, caution is needed when comparing figures between different areas or between censuses.

Across the 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, 35.2% of people in Cambridge described themselves as Christian (down from 44.8%), while 9.8% did not state their religion (up from 9.0% 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, 44.7% of usual residents in Cambridge reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cambridge_% 2021_Cambridge_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cambridge Percentage in undefined
No religion 37.8 44.7 27.9 40.2 24.8 36.7 37.8%
44.7%
Christian 44.8 35.2 59.7 46.6 59.4 46.3 44.8%
35.2%
Buddhist 1.3 1.1 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 1.3%
1.1%
Hindu 1.7 2.3 0.9 1.4 1.5 1.8 1.7%
2.3%
Jewish 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.7%
0.7%
Muslim 4.0 5.1 2.5 3.7 5.0 6.7 4.0%
5.1%
Sikh 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.8 0.9 0.2%
0.2%
Other 0.6 0.8 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.6%
0.8%
Not answered 9.0 9.8 7.3 6.1 7.1 6.0 9.0%
9.8%

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

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Health in Cambridge

In 2021, 50.7% of Cambridge residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 49.2% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 33.5% to 33.2%. 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 Cambridge residents describing their health as "very bad" remained 1.0%, while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 3.8% to 3.3%.

These data reflect people’s own opinions in describing their overall health on a five point scale, from very good to very bad.

Census 2021 was conducted during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This may have influenced how people perceived and rated their health, and therefore may have affected how people chose to respond.

In 2021, 1.0% of usual residents said their health was very bad in Cambridge

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cambridge_% 2021_Cambridge_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cambridge Percentage in undefined
Very good health 49.2 50.7 45.8 47.9 45.0 47.5 49.2%
50.7%
Good health 33.5 33.2 35.8 35.0 34.8 34.2 33.5%
33.2%
Fair health 12.5 11.9 13.5 12.5 14.2 13.0 12.5%
11.9%
Bad health 3.8 3.3 3.8 3.6 4.6 4.1 3.8%
3.3%
Very bad health 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.0 1.4 1.2 1.0%
1.0%

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

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Disability in Cambridge

In 2021, 6.2% of Cambridge residents were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. This figure decreased from 7.3% 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, just over 1 in 10 people (10.5%) were identified as being disabled and limited a little, compared with 9.6% in 2011. The proportion of Cambridge residents who were not disabled increased from 83.0% to 83.3%.

The decrease in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot in Cambridge (1.1 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 Cambridge 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_Cambridge_% 2021_Cambridge_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cambridge Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 7.3 6.2 7.8 6.6 9.1 7.5 7.3%
6.2%
Disabled and limited a little 9.6 10.5 9.7 10.0 10.2 10.2 9.6%
10.5%
Not disabled 83.0 83.3 82.5 83.4 80.7 82.3 83.0%
83.3%

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

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