/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000079/

The population reached nearly 91,000

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Cotswold increased by 9.6%, from just under 82,900 in 2011 to around 90,800 in 2021.

The population here increased by a greater percentage than the overall population of the South West (7.8%), and by a greater percentage than the overall population of England (up 6.6% since the 2011 Census).

In 2021, Cotswold was home to around 0.6 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 0.5 in 2011. This area was the joint third-least densely populated local authority area across the South West (after West Devon and Torridge).

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 Cotswold than across the South West

Percentage population change, Cotswold and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% South West ▲7.8% Cotswold ▲9.6%
-2-0.50.5+2+8+16%

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

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An older Cotswold

Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of Cotswold increased by three years, from 46 to 49 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 65 to 74 years rose by around 2,900 (an increase of 30.7%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by around 1,800 (10.3% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 65 and 74 years increased by 2.2 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cotswold_% 2021_Cotswold_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cotswold Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 3.4 3.6 2.9 3.1 2.2 2.4 3.4%
3.6%
75 to 84 years 7.6 8.9 6.6 7.6 5.5 6.1 7.6%
8.9%
65 to 74 years 11.4 13.6 10.1 11.7 8.6 9.8 11.4%
13.6%
50 to 64 years 22.1 22.9 19.6 20.4 18.1 19.4 22.1%
22.9%
35 to 49 years 21.3 17.5 20.6 17.9 21.3 19.4 21.3%
17.5%
25 to 34 years 8.3 9.4 11.4 12.1 13.5 13.6 8.3%
9.4%
20 to 24 years 4.6 4.4 6.3 5.8 6.8 6.0 4.6%
4.4%
16 to 19 years 4.7 3.8 5.0 4.4 5.1 4.6 4.7%
3.8%
10 to 15 years 6.9 6.5 6.8 6.7 7.0 7.2 6.9%
6.5%
5 to 9 years 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.5 5.6 5.9 5.0%
5.1%
4 years and under 4.7 4.4 5.6 4.8 6.3 5.4 4.7%
4.4%

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

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Cotswold stood out from other areas for housing

The percentage of households in the social rented sector increased in Cotswold, but fell across England.

In Cotswold, the percentage of households in the social rented sector rose from 14.9% in 2011 to 15.4% 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 Cotswold increased from 15.2% to 17.4%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 65.7% to 65.1%.

The rate of social renting in Cotswold increased by 0.5 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cotswold_% 2021_Cotswold_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cotswold Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 65.7 65.1 67.4 65.9 63.3 61.3 65.7%
65.1%
Shared ownership 1.2 2.1 0.8 1.1 0.8 1.0 1.2%
2.1%
Social rented 14.9 15.4 13.3 13.3 17.7 17.1 14.9%
15.4%
Private rented 15.2 17.4 17.1 19.7 16.8 20.5 15.2%
17.4%
Lives rent free 3.0 0.0 1.4 0.1 1.3 0.1 3.0%
0.0%

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

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Unpaid care in Cotswold

Cotswold saw the South West's second-largest percentage-point fall 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 4.3% 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 Stroud saw a greater fall in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care (from 8.4% to 5.0%).

Every local authority area across the South West 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 7.5% to 4.7%.

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 Cotswold decreased by 3.3 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_Cotswold_% 2021_Cotswold_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cotswold Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 89.6 92.5 88.6 91.0 88.7 91.1 89.6%
92.5%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 7.6 4.3 7.5 4.7 7.2 4.4 7.6%
4.3%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.7 1.5 1.8 1.0%
1.2%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 1.8 1.9 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.7 1.8%
1.9%

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

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Health in Cotswold

In 2021, 53.6% of Cotswold residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 50.9% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 34.5% to 33.0%. 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 Cotswold residents describing their health as "very bad" remained 0.7%, while those describing their health as "bad" was 2.6% (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 Cotswold increased by 2.7 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cotswold_% 2021_Cotswold_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cotswold Percentage in undefined
Very good health 50.9 53.6 46.8 48.7 45.0 47.5 50.9%
53.6%
Good health 34.5 33.0 34.8 34.1 34.8 34.2 34.5%
33.0%
Fair health 11.2 10.2 13.3 12.5 14.2 13.0 11.2%
10.2%
Bad health 2.7 2.6 4.0 3.7 4.6 4.1 2.7%
2.6%
Very bad health 0.7 0.7 1.1 1.1 1.4 1.2 0.7%
0.7%

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

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Changing relationships in Cotswold

Cotswold saw the South West's joint third-largest percentage-point rise (alongside Torridge and South Somerset) in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership (from 9.0% in 2011 to 9.8% in 2021).

Across the region, only Dorset (from 9.8% to 10.8%) and West Devon (from 9.6% to 10.5%) saw a greater increase in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership.

Across the South West, the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership increased from 9.8% to 10.1%, while the percentage in nearby Wiltshire increased from 9.5% to 10.0%.

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 Cotswold increased by 0.8 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cotswold_% 2021_Cotswold_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cotswold Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 25.7 27.9 31.1 34.7 34.6 37.9 25.7%
27.9%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 55.2 53.2 49.2 46.5 46.8 44.7 55.2%
53.2%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 2.2 2.0 2.3 2.1 2.7 2.2 2.2%
2.0%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 9.0 9.8 9.8 10.1 9.0 9.1 9.0%
9.8%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 8.0 7.1 7.5 6.6 6.9 6.1 8.0%
7.1%

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

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Religion in Cotswold

In 2021, 36.7% of Cotswold residents reported having "No religion", up from 22.9% in 2011. The rise of 13.8 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in Cotswold. 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, 55.7% of people in Cotswold described themselves as Christian (down from 68.7%), while 6.0% did not state their religion (down from 7.3% 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, 36.7% of usual residents in Cotswold reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cotswold_% 2021_Cotswold_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cotswold Percentage in undefined
No religion 22.9 36.7 29.3 44.1 24.8 36.7 22.9%
36.7%
Christian 68.7 55.7 60.4 46.2 59.4 46.3 68.7%
55.7%
Buddhist 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.3%
0.4%
Hindu 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.5 1.5 1.8 0.1%
0.3%
Jewish 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.1%
0.2%
Muslim 0.2 0.3 1.0 1.4 5.0 6.7 0.2%
0.3%
Sikh 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.8 0.9 0.0%
0.1%
Other 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.4%
0.5%
Not answered 7.3 6.0 7.9 6.5 7.1 6.0 7.3%
6.0%

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

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Cotswold residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 79,100 Cotswold residents said they were born in England. This represented 87.1% of the local population. The figure has risen from just over 73,400 in 2011, which at the time represented 88.6% of Cotswold's population.

Wales was the next most represented, with just under 1,900 Cotswold residents reporting this country of birth (2.1%). This figure was up from just under 1,800 in 2011, which at the time also represented 2.1% of the population of Cotswold.

The number of Cotswold residents born in Scotland remained close to 1,500 between the last two census (from 1.8% of the local population in 2011 to 1.6% in 2021)

In 2021, 87.1% of Cotswold residents reported their country of birth as England

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cotswold_% 2021_Cotswold_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cotswold Percentage in undefined
England 88.6 87.1 88.6 86.4 83.5 80.3 88.6%
87.1%
Wales 2.1 2.1 2.0 1.8 1.0 0.8 2.1%
2.1%
Scotland 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.3 1.1 1.8%
1.6%
South Africa 0.5 0.8 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5%
0.8%
United States 0.5 0.6 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5%
0.6%

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

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Unemployment in Cotswold

In 2021, 1.8% of Cotswold residents (aged 16 years and over) said they were unemployed. This figure decreased from 2.2% in 2011.

In 2021, just under 6 in 10 people (56.6%) said they were employed (excluding full-time students), compared with 59.0% in 2011. The percentage of retired Cotswold residents increased from 26.0% to 28.3%.

The decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were unemployed was greater across the South West (0.8 percentage points, from 2.9% to 2.1%) than in Cotswold (0.4 percentage points). Across England, the percentage fell by 1.1 percentage points, from 4.0% to 2.9%.

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 unemployed (excluding full-time students) in Cotswold decreased by 0.4 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cotswold_% 2021_Cotswold_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cotswold Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 59.0 56.6 56.9 55.3 56.5 55.7 59.0%
56.6%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 2.2 1.8 2.9 2.1 4.0 2.9 2.2%
1.8%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 1.8 1.2 2.3 1.6 2.4 1.7 1.8%
1.2%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.3%
0.3%
Economically inactive: Retired 26.0 28.3 24.7 25.6 21.2 21.5 26.0%
28.3%
Economically inactive: Student 3.9 3.6 4.3 5.0 5.3 5.6 3.9%
3.6%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 3.4 4.0 3.3 3.7 4.0 4.8 3.4%
4.0%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 2.0 2.2 3.3 3.7 3.8 4.1 2.0%
2.2%
Economically inactive: Other 1.4 2.1 1.7 2.5 2.2 3.1 1.4%
2.1%

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

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Change in work hours

In 2021, 13.2% of Cotswold residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked 15 hours or less per week. This figure increased from 12.3% in 2011.

In 2021, just over one in seven people (14.3%) said they worked over 49 hours per week, compared with 17.5% in 2011. The percentage of adults in employment working 31 to 48 hours per week increased from 51.1% to 53.5%.

The increase in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week was greater in Cotswold (0.9 percentage points) than across the South West (0.5 percentage points, from 10.8% to 11.3%). 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 Cotswold increased by 0.9 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_Cotswold_% 2021_Cotswold_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cotswold Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 12.3 13.2 10.8 11.3 9.7 10.3 12.3%
13.2%
16 to 30 hours worked 19.0 19.0 20.7 21.0 19.5 19.5 19.0%
19.0%
31 to 48 hours worked 51.1 53.5 55.2 57.0 57.5 59.1 51.1%
53.5%
49 or more hours worked 17.5 14.3 13.3 10.8 13.3 11.1 17.5%
14.3%

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

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National identity in Cotswold

In 2021, 4.2% of Cotswold residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 3.4% in 2011.

In 2021, 1.5% of residents identified with a UK and non-UK national identity, compared with 0.7% in 2011. The percentage of residents in Cotswold that identified as "British only" increased from 17.0% to 58.0%.

The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK was greater across the South West (1.7 percentage points, from 4.4% to 6.1%) than in Cotswold (0.8 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 Cotswold increased by 0.8 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cotswold_% 2021_Cotswold_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cotswold Percentage in undefined
British only identity 17.0 58.0 16.0 55.5 19.2 56.8 17.0%
58.0%
Welsh only identity 1.2 0.8 1.1 0.8 0.6 0.3 1.2%
0.8%
Welsh and British only identity 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2%
0.4%
English only identity 64.9 17.9 64.5 16.9 60.4 15.3 64.9%
17.9%
English and British only identity 10.8 15.9 10.2 15.9 9.1 14.3 10.8%
15.9%
Any other combination of only UK identities 1.8 1.3 2.9 2.8 1.6 1.1 1.8%
1.3%
Non-UK identity only 3.4 4.2 4.4 6.1 8.2 10.0 3.4%
4.2%
UK identity and non-UK identity 0.7 1.5 0.6 1.6 0.9 2.0 0.7%
1.5%

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

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Family in Cotswold

Of Cotswold households, 20.3% included a couple but no children in 2021, down from 21.7% in 2011.

In 2021, just over one in six households (17.9%) included a couple with dependent children, compared with 19.3% in 2011. The percentage of single family households including a couple living with only non-dependent children increased from 5.6% to 5.9%.

This area had the region’s third highest percentage of households including a couple but no children. Across the region, only Isles of Scilly (23.8%) and West Devon (20.5%) had a higher percentage of households including a couple but no children.

Because of its small size, comparisons to Isles of Scilly should be made with caution.

The percentage of households including a couple without children in Cotswold decreased by 1.4 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cotswold_% 2021_Cotswold_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cotswold Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 15.5 15.8 13.8 14.6 12.4 12.8 15.5%
15.8%
One-person household: Other 14.8 14.4 16.5 15.7 17.9 17.3 14.8%
14.4%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 21.7 20.3 19.7 18.5 17.6 16.8 21.7%
20.3%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 19.3 17.9 18.6 17.9 19.3 18.9 19.3%
17.9%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 5.6 5.9 5.6 5.9 6.1 6.3 5.6%
5.9%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 6.5 7.3 8.9 9.1 10.6 11.1 6.5%
7.3%
Other household types 16.7 18.3 16.9 18.3 16.1 16.9 16.7%
18.3%

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

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Disability in Cotswold

In 2021, 4.9% of Cotswold residents were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. This figure decreased from 5.8% 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 11 people (9.1%) were identified as being disabled and limited a little, compared with 8.7% in 2011. The proportion of Cotswold residents who were not disabled increased from 85.6% to 86.0%.

This area had the region’s second lowest proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. Across the region, only Isles of Scilly, with 4.0%, had a lower proportion.

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 Cotswold decreased by 0.9 percentage points

Age-standardised proportion of usual residents by long-term health condition or illness,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cotswold_% 2021_Cotswold_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cotswold Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 5.8 4.9 8.1 7.0 9.1 7.5 5.8%
4.9%
Disabled and limited a little 8.7 9.1 10.1 10.8 10.2 10.2 8.7%
9.1%
Not disabled 85.6 86.0 81.9 82.2 80.7 82.3 85.6%
86.0%

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

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Ethnic groups in Cotswold

In 2021, 1.5% of Cotswold residents identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category, up from 0.8% 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 "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, 96.3% of people in Cotswold identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 97.8% in 2011), while 1.3% identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category (compared with 1.0% 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, 1.5% of usual residents in Cotswold identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Cotswold_% 2021_Cotswold_% 2011_South West_% 2021_South West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Cotswold Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 1.0 1.3 2.0 2.8 7.8 9.6 1.0%
1.3%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 0.3 0.4 0.9 1.2 3.5 4.2 0.3%
0.4%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 0.8 1.5 1.4 2.0 2.3 3.0 0.8%
1.5%
White 97.8 96.3 95.4 93.1 85.4 81.0 97.8%
96.3%
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

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About the data

Census data are adjusted to reflect estimated non-response so that the published results relate to the entire usually resident population as it was on Census Day (21 March 2021).

Those respondents who were on furlough because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic were asked to classify themselves as "temporarily away from work" to ensure they remained in the economically active population.

Students are counted as usually resident at their term-time address even if they were not physically present there on Census Day.

The questions relating to disability differed slightly between 2011 and 2021 to ensure that data were more closely aligned with the definition of disability in the Equality Act (2010). There was also a change to question wording for unpaid care, for more information read the health, disability and unpaid care quality information.

Age-standardised proportions are used throughout the health, disability and unpaid care sections. They allow for fairer comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure. The 2013 European Standard Population is used to standardise proportions.

Percentages and percentage point changes have been individually rounded to one decimal place. This means they may not sum exactly.

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About these articles

There is an article like this for every local authority district in England and Wales. The articles have been written and semi-automated by our data journalists and are a new publishing format for the Office for National Statistics.

Topics are chosen and ordered automatically based on how relevant they are for each area, however all data are checked before publishing.

We have not included topics that were new for Census 2021 or where there is no comparability with the 2011 Census. Read about how we developed and tested the questions for Census 2021.

These articles were first published on 8 December 2022 covering topics such as demography, country of birth, ethnic groups, religion, national identity and economic activity status. They were updated on 19 January 2023 following the release of more data from Census 2021 and now include housing tenure, general health, disability and unpaid care.

All versions of this article

Related links

Census 2021 topic summaries

Supporting information | Released 2 November 2022

What topic summary data for Census 2021 will be available and how to view them.

Census maps

Interactive tool | Released 8 December 2022

Use our interactive map to find out what people’s lives are like across England and Wales.

How well do you know your area?

Digital Content Article | Released 2 December 2022

Test your knowledge of where you live with our Census quiz.

Contact

census.customerservices@ons.gov.uk

Telephone: +44 1329 44 4972

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