The population reached nearly 89,000
Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of South Hams increased by 6.6%, from around 83,100 in 2011 to around 88,600 in 2021.
The population here increased by a smaller percentage than the overall population of the South West (7.8%), but at a similar rate to the overall population of England (up 6.6% since the 2011 Census).
In 2021, South Hams was home to around 0.7 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. 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.
Population growth was lower in South Hams than across the South West
Percentage population change, South Hams and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% South West ▲7.8% South Hams ▲6.6%| -2 | -0.5 | 0.5 | +2 | +8 | +16% |
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An older South Hams
Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of South Hams increased by three years, from 48 to 51 years of age.
This area had the joint highest average (median) age in the South West (alongside Dorset, Torridge and West Devon) 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 just under 3,000 (an increase of 28.5%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by around 1,900 (12.0% decrease).
The share of residents aged between 65 and 74 years increased by 2.6 percentage points between 2011 and 2021
Percentage of usual residents
by age group,
| 85 years and over | 3.4 | 3.7 | 2.9 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 3.4%
3.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 to 84 years | 7.8 | 9.3 | 6.6 | 7.6 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 7.8%
9.3% |
| 65 to 74 years | 12.6 | 15.2 | 10.1 | 11.7 | 8.6 | 9.8 | 12.6%
15.2% |
| 50 to 64 years | 24.1 | 23.7 | 19.6 | 20.4 | 18.1 | 19.4 | 24.1%
23.7% |
| 35 to 49 years | 19.3 | 16.0 | 20.6 | 17.9 | 21.3 | 19.4 | 19.3%
16.0% |
| 25 to 34 years | 8.0 | 9.0 | 11.4 | 12.1 | 13.5 | 13.6 | 8.0%
9.0% |
| 20 to 24 years | 4.4 | 3.8 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 4.4%
3.8% |
| 16 to 19 years | 4.4 | 3.8 | 5.0 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 4.4%
3.8% |
| 10 to 15 years | 6.8 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 6.8%
6.4% |
| 5 to 9 years | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 4.8%
5.0% |
| 4 years and under | 4.4 | 4.0 | 5.6 | 4.8 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 4.4%
4.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
South Hams stood out from other areas for housing
The percentage of households in the social rented sector increased in South Hams, but fell across England.
In South Hams, the percentage of households in the social rented sector rose from 11.4% in 2011 to 11.8% in 2021, while across England it fell from 17.7% to 17.1%. During the same period, the regional percentage remained at 13.3%.
Private renting in South Hams increased from 14.3% to 16.1%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 71.7% to 70.5%.
The rate of social renting in South Hams increased by 0.4 percentage points
Percentage of households
by housing tenure,
| Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan | 71.7 | 70.5 | 67.4 | 65.9 | 63.3 | 61.3 | 71.7%
70.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared ownership | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.1%
1.6% |
| Social rented | 11.4 | 11.8 | 13.3 | 13.3 | 17.7 | 17.1 | 11.4%
11.8% |
| Private rented | 14.3 | 16.1 | 17.1 | 19.7 | 16.8 | 20.5 | 14.3%
16.1% |
| Lives rent free | 1.5 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.5%
0.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Health in South Hams
In 2021, 53.4% of South Hams residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 50.8% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 33.2% to 31.5%. 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 South Hams residents describing their health as "very bad" remained 1.0%, while those describing their health as "bad" remained 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.
The percentage of people in good health in South Hams decreased by 1.7 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by self-reported health,
| Very good health | 50.8 | 53.4 | 46.8 | 48.7 | 45.0 | 47.5 | 50.8%
53.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good health | 33.2 | 31.5 | 34.8 | 34.1 | 34.8 | 34.2 | 33.2%
31.5% |
| Fair health | 11.7 | 10.8 | 13.3 | 12.5 | 14.2 | 13.0 | 11.7%
10.8% |
| Bad health | 3.3 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 3.3%
3.3% |
| Very bad health | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.0%
1.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Fewer adults working long hours
South Hams saw the South West's third-largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week (from 16.2% in 2011 to 12.8% in 2021).
Across the region, only Wiltshire (from 15.8% to 12.2%) and West Devon (from 18.0% to 14.5%) saw a greater decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week.
Every local authority area across the South West saw a fall in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week, as the regional percentage fell from 13.3% to 10.8%.
Working hours may have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The percentage of adults in employment who worked 49 hours or more in South Hams decreased by 3.4 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 | 12.4 | 14.5 | 10.8 | 11.3 | 9.7 | 10.3 | 12.4%
14.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 to 30 hours worked | 22.6 | 23.3 | 20.7 | 21.0 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 22.6%
23.3% |
| 31 to 48 hours worked | 48.9 | 49.5 | 55.2 | 57.0 | 57.5 | 59.1 | 48.9%
49.5% |
| 49 or more hours worked | 16.2 | 12.8 | 13.3 | 10.8 | 13.3 | 11.1 | 16.2%
12.8% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Fewer couples without children
South Hams saw the South West's joint third-largest percentage-point fall (alongside Sedgemoor) in the proportion of households including a couple but no children (from 21.7% in 2011 to 19.6% in 2021).
Across the region, only North Somerset (from 19.7% to 17.5%) and Forest of Dean (from 21.9% to 19.7%) saw a greater decrease in the percentage of households including a couple but no children.
Despite the decrease, South Hams was in the highest 15% of English local authority areas for the share of households including a couple but no children in 2021.
The percentage of households including a couple without children in South Hams decreased by 2.1 percentage points
Percentage of households
by household composition,
| One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) | 16.2 | 16.7 | 13.8 | 14.6 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 16.2%
16.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-person household: Other | 14.3 | 12.9 | 16.5 | 15.7 | 17.9 | 17.3 | 14.3%
12.9% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children | 21.7 | 19.6 | 19.7 | 18.5 | 17.6 | 16.8 | 21.7%
19.6% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children | 17.5 | 16.8 | 18.6 | 17.9 | 19.3 | 18.9 | 17.5%
16.8% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent | 5.5 | 6.1 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 5.5%
6.1% |
| Single-family household: Lone-parent household | 7.6 | 7.9 | 8.9 | 9.1 | 10.6 | 11.1 | 7.6%
7.9% |
| Other household types | 17.1 | 20.1 | 16.9 | 18.3 | 16.1 | 16.9 | 17.1%
20.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Unpaid care in South Hams
In 2021, 5.3% of South Hams residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 8.2% in 2011. These are age-standardised proportions.
Age-standardised proportions are used throughout this section. They enable comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure.
In 2021, just under 1 in 50 people (1.7%) reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 1.3% in 2011. The proportion of South Hams residents (aged five years and over) that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 2.3% to 2.4%.
This area had the region’s second highest proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care. Across the region, only Isles of Scilly, with 5.6%, had a higher proportion.
Because of its small size, comparisons to Isles of Scilly should be made with caution.
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 South Hams decreased by 2.9 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 | 88.2 | 90.6 | 88.6 | 91.0 | 88.7 | 91.1 | 88.2%
90.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 19 hours of unpaid care | 8.2 | 5.3 | 7.5 | 4.7 | 7.2 | 4.4 | 8.2%
5.3% |
| 20 to 49 hours of unpaid care | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.3%
1.7% |
| 50 or more hours of unpaid care | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.3%
2.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Religion in South Hams
In 2021, 44.0% of South Hams residents reported having "No religion", up from 27.7% in 2011. The rise of 16.3 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in South Hams. 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, 47.4% of people in South Hams described themselves as Christian (down from 61.6%), while 6.5% did not state their religion (down from 8.9% 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, 44.0% of usual residents in South Hams reported having "No religion"
Percentage of usual residents
by religion,
| No religion | 27.7 | 44.0 | 29.3 | 44.1 | 24.8 | 36.7 | 27.7%
44.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian | 61.6 | 47.4 | 60.4 | 46.2 | 59.4 | 46.3 | 61.6%
47.4% |
| Buddhist | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6%
0.6% |
| Hindu | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.1%
0.1% |
| Jewish | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.1%
0.1% |
| Muslim | 0.2 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 0.2%
0.3% |
| Sikh | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.0%
0.0% |
| Other | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.8%
0.8% |
| Not answered | 8.9 | 6.5 | 7.9 | 6.5 | 7.1 | 6.0 | 8.9%
6.5% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
South Hams residents' country of birth
In the latest census, around 80,100 South Hams residents said they were born in England. This represented 90.4% of the local population. The figure has risen from just over 75,700 in 2011, which at the time represented 91.1% of South Hams' population.
Wales was the next most represented, with just under 1,500 South Hams residents reporting this country of birth (1.7%). This figure was up from around 1,400 in 2011, which at the time also represented 1.7% of the population of South Hams.
The number of South Hams residents born in Scotland remained close to 1,200 between the last two census (1.4% of the local population)
In 2021, 90.4% of South Hams residents reported their country of birth as England
Percentage of usual residents
by country of birth,
| England | 91.1 | 90.4 | 88.6 | 86.4 | 83.5 | 80.3 | 91.1%
90.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wales | 1.7 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 1.7%
1.7% |
| Scotland | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.4%
1.4% |
| Germany | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.5%
0.5% |
| South Africa | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3%
0.5% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
Notes:
- This chart shows the five most common countries of birth in South Hams in 2021
- Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings
| |
Change in employment
The decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed was greater in South Hams (3.1 percentage points) than across England (0.8 percentage points).
In South Hams, the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were employed (excluding full-time students) decreased from 56.1% in 2011 to 53.0% in 2021. During the same period, the percentage across England decreased from 56.5% to 55.7%.
The percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were unemployed (excluding full-time students) in South Hams fell from 2.0% to 1.7%, while the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were retired (economically inactive) increased from 29.7% to 31.7%.
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 South Hams decreased by 3.1 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by economic activity status,
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment | 56.1 | 53.0 | 56.9 | 55.3 | 56.5 | 55.7 | 56.1%
53.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed | 2.0 | 1.7 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 4.0 | 2.9 | 2.0%
1.7% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: In employment | 1.8 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 1.8%
1.1% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.3%
0.2% |
| Economically inactive: Retired | 29.7 | 31.7 | 24.7 | 25.6 | 21.2 | 21.5 | 29.7%
31.7% |
| Economically inactive: Student | 2.8 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 2.8%
3.3% |
| Economically inactive: Looking after home or family | 2.9 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 2.9%
3.5% |
| Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled | 2.8 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 2.8%
3.3% |
| Economically inactive: Other | 1.5 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 3.1 | 1.5%
2.2% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Disability in South Hams
In 2021, 6.7% of South Hams residents were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. 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.
The decrease in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot was greater across the South West (1.1 percentage points, from 8.1% to 7.0%) than in South Hams (0.4 percentage points). 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 South Hams decreased by 0.4 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by long-term health condition or illness,
| Disabled and limited a lot | 7.1 | 6.7 | 8.1 | 7.0 | 9.1 | 7.5 | 7.1%
6.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled and limited a little | 9.7 | 10.4 | 10.1 | 10.8 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 9.7%
10.4% |
| Not disabled | 83.2 | 82.9 | 81.9 | 82.2 | 80.7 | 82.3 | 83.2%
82.9% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
National identity in South Hams
In 2021, 3.7% of South Hams residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 2.3% in 2011.
In 2021, just under 1 in 50 people (1.7%) identified with a UK and non-UK national identity, compared with 0.6% in 2011. The percentage of residents in South Hams that identified as "British only" increased from 17.8% to 60.0%.
The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK in South Hams (1.5 percentage points) was similar to the increase across the South West (1.7 percentage points, from 4.4% to 6.1%). 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 South Hams increased by 1.5 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents
by national identity,
| British only identity | 17.8 | 60.0 | 16.0 | 55.5 | 19.2 | 56.8 | 17.8%
60.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welsh only identity | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.9%
0.6% |
| Welsh and British only identity | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2%
0.2% |
| English only identity | 65.7 | 17.3 | 64.5 | 16.9 | 60.4 | 15.3 | 65.7%
17.3% |
| English and British only identity | 11.1 | 15.2 | 10.2 | 15.9 | 9.1 | 14.3 | 11.1%
15.2% |
| Any other combination of only UK identities | 1.5 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.5%
1.1% |
| Non-UK identity only | 2.3 | 3.7 | 4.4 | 6.1 | 8.2 | 10.0 | 2.3%
3.7% |
| UK identity and non-UK identity | 0.6 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 0.6%
1.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
More adults never married or in a civil partnership
Of South Hams residents aged 16 years and over, 27.5% said they had never been married or in a civil partnership in 2021, up from 24.8% in 2011.
In 2021, just over one in two people (52.4%) said they were married or in a registered civil partnership, compared with 54.3% in 2011. The percentage of adults in South Hams that had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership increased from 10.4% to 10.9%.
The increase in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership was greater across the South West (3.5 percentage points, from 31.1% to 34.7%) than in South Hams (2.7 percentage points). 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 South Hams increased by 2.7 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by legal partnership status,
| Never married and never registered a civil partnership | 24.8 | 27.5 | 31.1 | 34.7 | 34.6 | 37.9 | 24.8%
27.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Married or in a registered civil partnership | 54.3 | 52.4 | 49.2 | 46.5 | 46.8 | 44.7 | 54.3%
52.4% |
| Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership | 2.1 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 2.1%
2.0% |
| Divorced or civil partnership dissolved | 10.4 | 10.9 | 9.8 | 10.1 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 10.4%
10.9% |
| Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner | 8.4 | 7.3 | 7.5 | 6.6 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 8.4%
7.3% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Ethnic groups in South Hams
In 2021, 1.2% of South Hams residents identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category, up from 0.8% in 2011. The 0.4 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.
Across the South West, the percentage of people from "Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups" increased from 1.4% to 2.0%, while across England the percentage increased from 2.3% to 3.0%.
In 2021, 97.5% of people in South Hams identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 98.4% in 2011), while 0.7% identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category (compared with 0.6% 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 0.4% 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 in South Hams identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category
Percentage of usual residents
by ethnic group,
| Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh | 0.6 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 7.8 | 9.6 | 0.6%
0.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 0.8%
1.2% |
| White | 98.4 | 97.5 | 95.4 | 93.1 | 85.4 | 81.0 | 98.4%
97.5% |
| Other ethnic groups | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.1%
0.4% |
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.
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.ukTelephone: +44 1329 44 4972