/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000147/

The population increased

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of North Norfolk increased by 1.5%, from just under 101,500 in 2011 to around 103,000 in 2021.

The population here increased by a smaller percentage than the overall population of the East of England (8.3%), and by a smaller percentage than the overall population of England (up 6.6% since the 2011 Census).

In 2021, North Norfolk was home to around 0.8 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. This area was the joint least densely populated local authority area across the East of England.

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 North Norfolk than across the East of England

Percentage population change, North Norfolk and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% East of England ▲8.3% North Norfolk ▲1.5%
-2-0.50.5+2+8+16%

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

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An older North Norfolk

Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of North Norfolk increased by three years, from 51 to 54 years of age.

This area had the highest average (median) age of any local authority area in England. Across the country, the overall average (median) age was 40 years of age in 2021.

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 20.1%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by just under 2,900 (16.5% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 65 and 74 years increased by 2.7 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_North Norfolk_% 2021_North Norfolk_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in North Norfolk Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 4.1 4.8 2.4 2.7 2.2 2.4 4.1%
4.8%
75 to 84 years 10.1 11.4 6.0 6.6 5.5 6.1 10.1%
11.4%
65 to 74 years 14.6 17.3 9.1 10.3 8.6 9.8 14.6%
17.3%
50 to 64 years 23.0 23.1 18.7 19.6 18.1 19.4 23.0%
23.1%
35 to 49 years 17.2 14.2 21.5 19.5 21.3 19.4 17.2%
14.2%
25 to 34 years 8.0 8.7 12.4 12.8 13.5 13.6 8.0%
8.7%
20 to 24 years 4.5 3.8 6.0 5.4 6.8 6.0 4.5%
3.8%
16 to 19 years 4.1 3.4 4.9 4.3 5.1 4.6 4.1%
3.4%
10 to 15 years 6.1 5.6 7.2 7.2 7.0 7.2 6.1%
5.6%
5 to 9 years 4.1 4.3 5.6 6.0 5.6 5.9 4.1%
4.3%
4 years and under 4.3 3.6 6.2 5.5 6.3 5.4 4.3%
3.6%

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

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Disability in North Norfolk

The age-standardised proportion of non-disabled residents fell in North Norfolk, but rose across the East of England.

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 North Norfolk, the proportion of non-disabled residents fell from 81.3% in 2011 to 80.4% in 2021. During the same period, the regional proportion increased from 82.5% to 83.4%.

The percentage of people who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot in North Norfolk fell from 8.2% to 7.6%, while the percentage of people who were identified as being disabled and limited a little increased from 10.5% to 12.1%.

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 non-disabled residents in North Norfolk 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_North Norfolk_% 2021_North Norfolk_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in North Norfolk Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 8.2 7.6 7.8 6.6 9.1 7.5 8.2%
7.6%
Disabled and limited a little 10.5 12.1 9.7 10.0 10.2 10.2 10.5%
12.1%
Not disabled 81.3 80.4 82.5 83.4 80.7 82.3 81.3%
80.4%

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

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Changing relationships in North Norfolk

North Norfolk saw England's joint third-largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership (from 10.3% in 2011 to 11.3% in 2021).

England's largest increases in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership occurred in Richmondshire (from 8.2% to 9.4%) followed by Ryedale (from 8.7% to 9.8%).

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 North Norfolk increased by 1.0 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_North Norfolk_% 2021_North Norfolk_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in North Norfolk Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 24.2 27.2 31.1 34.8 34.6 37.9 24.2%
27.2%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 53.7 50.2 50.1 47.2 46.8 44.7 53.7%
50.2%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 2.2 2.2 2.5 2.2 2.7 2.2 2.2%
2.2%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 10.3 11.3 9.2 9.5 9.0 9.1 10.3%
11.3%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 9.6 9.2 7.0 6.3 6.9 6.1 9.6%
9.2%

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

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North Norfolk residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 96,100 North Norfolk residents said they were born in England. This represented 93.4% of the local population. The figure has risen from just under 95,000 in 2011, which at the time represented 93.6% of North Norfolk's population.

Scotland was the next most represented, with around 1,200 North Norfolk residents reporting this country of birth (1.2%). This figure was down from around 1,300 in 2011, which at the time also represented 1.2% of the population of North Norfolk.

The number of North Norfolk residents born in Wales fell from just over 750 in 2011 (0.8% of the local population) to just under 700 in 2021 (0.7%).

In 2021, 93.4% of North Norfolk residents reported their country of birth as England

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_North Norfolk_% 2021_North Norfolk_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in North Norfolk Percentage in undefined
England 93.6 93.4 86.6 83.1 83.5 80.3 93.6%
93.4%
Scotland 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.1 1.3 1.1 1.2%
1.2%
Wales 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.6 1.0 0.8 0.8%
0.7%
Germany 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5%
0.4%
Poland 0.4 0.4 1.1 1.3 1.1 1.3 0.4%
0.4%

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

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Rise in private renting

Of North Norfolk households, 17.6% rented privately in 2021, up from 14.5% in 2011.

The increase in the percentage of privately-rented homes in North Norfolk (3.2 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 North Norfolk increased by 3.2 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_North Norfolk_% 2021_North Norfolk_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in North Norfolk Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 70.1 68.7 67.6 65.2 63.3 61.3 70.1%
68.7%
Shared ownership 0.4 0.7 0.7 1.0 0.8 1.0 0.4%
0.7%
Social rented 12.8 13.0 15.7 15.5 17.7 17.1 12.8%
13.0%
Private rented 14.5 17.6 14.7 18.2 16.8 20.5 14.5%
17.6%
Lives rent free 2.1 0.0 1.3 0.1 1.3 0.1 2.1%
0.0%

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

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Unpaid care in North Norfolk

In 2021, 4.8% of North Norfolk residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 7.6% 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 (1.9%) reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 1.4% in 2011. The proportion of North Norfolk residents (aged five years and over) that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 2.7% to 2.9%.

The decrease in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care in North Norfolk (2.8 percentage points) was similar to the decrease across the East of England (2.8 percentage points, from 7.3% to 4.5%). Across England, the proportion fell by 2.8 percentage points, from 7.2% to 4.4%.

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 North Norfolk decreased by 2.8 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_North Norfolk_% 2021_North Norfolk_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in North Norfolk Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 88.3 90.4 88.9 91.3 88.7 91.1 88.3%
90.4%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 7.6 4.8 7.3 4.5 7.2 4.4 7.6%
4.8%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 1.4 1.9 1.3 1.7 1.5 1.8 1.4%
1.9%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 2.7 2.9 2.4 2.5 2.7 2.7 2.7%
2.9%

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

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Religion in North Norfolk

In 2021, 39.6% of North Norfolk residents reported having "No religion", up from 25.2% in 2011. The rise of 14.4 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in North Norfolk. 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, 52.3% of people in North Norfolk described themselves as Christian (down from 66.0%), while 6.7% did not state their religion (down from 7.6% 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, 39.6% of usual residents in North Norfolk reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_North Norfolk_% 2021_North Norfolk_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in North Norfolk Percentage in undefined
No religion 25.2 39.6 27.9 40.2 24.8 36.7 25.2%
39.6%
Christian 66.0 52.3 59.7 46.6 59.4 46.3 66.0%
52.3%
Buddhist 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.3%
0.4%
Hindu 0.1 0.1 0.9 1.4 1.5 1.8 0.1%
0.1%
Jewish 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.1%
0.1%
Muslim 0.2 0.2 2.5 3.7 5.0 6.7 0.2%
0.2%
Sikh 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.4 0.8 0.9 0.0%
0.0%
Other 0.5 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.5%
0.6%
Not answered 7.6 6.7 7.3 6.1 7.1 6.0 7.6%
6.7%

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

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Fall in employment

The decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed was greater in North Norfolk (3.1 percentage points) than across England (0.8 percentage points).

In North Norfolk, the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were employed (excluding full-time students) decreased from 49.1% in 2011 to 46.0% 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 North Norfolk fell from 2.8% to 2.0%, while the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were retired (economically inactive) increased from 35.4% to 37.3%.

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 North Norfolk decreased by 3.1 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_North Norfolk_% 2021_North Norfolk_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in North Norfolk Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 49.1 46.0 58.4 57.3 56.5 55.7 49.1%
46.0%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 2.8 2.0 3.4 2.5 4.0 2.9 2.8%
2.0%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 1.2 0.7 2.1 1.5 2.4 1.7 1.2%
0.7%
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 35.4 37.3 22.5 22.9 21.2 21.5 35.4%
37.3%
Economically inactive: Student 2.3 2.6 4.2 4.5 5.3 5.6 2.3%
2.6%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 3.4 4.2 4.1 4.6 4.0 4.8 3.4%
4.2%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 3.5 4.2 2.9 3.4 3.8 4.1 3.5%
4.2%
Economically inactive: Other 2.1 2.8 1.8 2.8 2.2 3.1 2.1%
2.8%

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

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More adults worked short hours

North Norfolk saw the East of England's largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week (from 12.1% in 2011 to 14.4% in 2021).

Hertsmere saw the East of England's next largest increase in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week (from 10.6% in 2011 to 12.3% in 2021).

During this period, North Norfolk overtook 11 local authority areas, including Bath and North East Somerset and West Devon, to become the English local authority area with the second-highest percentage of adults in employment working 15 hours or less.

Working hours may have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less in North Norfolk increased by 2.3 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_North Norfolk_% 2021_North Norfolk_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in North Norfolk Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 12.1 14.4 10.4 10.8 9.7 10.3 12.1%
14.4%
16 to 30 hours worked 21.8 23.3 18.6 18.9 19.5 19.5 21.8%
23.3%
31 to 48 hours worked 51.5 50.2 56.7 58.4 57.5 59.1 51.5%
50.2%
49 or more hours worked 14.6 12.1 14.3 11.9 13.3 11.1 14.6%
12.1%

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

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National identity in North Norfolk

In 2021, 2.3% of North Norfolk residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 2.0% in 2011.

In 2021, 0.8% of residents identified with a UK and non-UK national identity, compared with 0.3% in 2011. The percentage of residents in North Norfolk that identified as "British only" increased from 13.4% to 53.6%.

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 North Norfolk (0.3 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 North Norfolk increased by 0.3 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_North Norfolk_% 2021_North Norfolk_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in North Norfolk Percentage in undefined
British only identity 13.4 53.6 16.2 54.4 19.2 56.8 13.4%
53.6%
Welsh only identity 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.6 0.3 0.4%
0.2%
Welsh and British only identity 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1%
0.1%
English only identity 72.1 23.9 64.8 18.4 60.4 15.3 72.1%
23.9%
English and British only identity 10.5 18.1 9.4 15.1 9.1 14.3 10.5%
18.1%
Any other combination of only UK identities 1.3 0.9 1.4 0.9 1.6 1.1 1.3%
0.9%
Non-UK identity only 2.0 2.3 6.9 9.0 8.2 10.0 2.0%
2.3%
UK identity and non-UK identity 0.3 0.8 0.8 1.9 0.9 2.0 0.3%
0.8%

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

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Health in North Norfolk

In 2021, 45.3% of North Norfolk residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 44.0% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 36.9% to 36.0%. 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 North Norfolk residents describing their health as "very bad" remained 1.1%, while those describing their health as "bad" was 3.8% (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.

In 2021, 1.1% of usual residents said their health was very bad in North Norfolk

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_North Norfolk_% 2021_North Norfolk_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in North Norfolk Percentage in undefined
Very good health 44.0 45.3 45.8 47.9 45.0 47.5 44.0%
45.3%
Good health 36.9 36.0 35.8 35.0 34.8 34.2 36.9%
36.0%
Fair health 14.0 13.8 13.5 12.5 14.2 13.0 14.0%
13.8%
Bad health 3.9 3.8 3.8 3.6 4.6 4.1 3.9%
3.8%
Very bad health 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.4 1.2 1.1%
1.1%

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

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Ethnic groups in North Norfolk

In 2021, 0.9% of North Norfolk residents identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category, up from 0.6% in 2011. The 0.3 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 "Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups" increased from 1.9% to 2.8%, while across England the percentage increased from 2.3% to 3.0%.

In 2021, 98.1% of people in North Norfolk identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 98.6% in 2011), while 0.5% identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category (also 0.5% 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 0.2% in 2021.

There are many factors that may be contributing to the changing ethnic composition of England and Wales, such as differing patterns of ageing, fertility, mortality, and migration. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals chose to self-identify between censuses.

Read the bulletin Ethnic group, England and Wales: Census 2021.

In 2021, 0.9% of usual residents in North Norfolk identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_North Norfolk_% 2021_North Norfolk_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in North Norfolk Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 0.5 0.5 4.8 6.4 7.8 9.6 0.5%
0.5%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 0.2 0.2 2.0 2.9 3.5 4.2 0.2%
0.2%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 0.6 0.9 1.9 2.8 2.3 3.0 0.6%
0.9%
White 98.6 98.1 90.8 86.5 85.4 81.0 98.6%
98.1%
Other ethnic groups 0.1 0.2 0.5 1.4 1.0 2.2 0.1%
0.2%

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

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Fewer couples without children

Of North Norfolk households, 19.3% included a couple but no children in 2021, down from 21.4% in 2011.

In 2021, just over one in eight households (12.8%) included a couple with dependent children, compared with 14.9% in 2011. The percentage of single family households including a couple living with only non-dependent children decreased from 5.5% to 5.4%.

The decrease in the percentage of households including a couple but no children was greater in North Norfolk (2.1 percentage points) than across the East of England (1.8 percentage points, from 19.0% to 17.2%). Across England, the percentage fell by 0.9 percentage points, from 17.6% to 16.8%.

The percentage of households including a couple without children in North Norfolk decreased by 2.1 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_North Norfolk_% 2021_North Norfolk_% 2011_East of England_% 2021_East of England_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in North Norfolk Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 17.9 19.3 12.7 13.2 12.4 12.8 17.9%
19.3%
One-person household: Other 13.2 14.5 15.8 15.7 17.9 17.3 13.2%
14.5%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 21.4 19.3 19.0 17.2 17.6 16.8 21.4%
19.3%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 14.9 12.8 21.0 20.2 19.3 18.9 14.9%
12.8%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 5.5 5.4 6.4 6.6 6.1 6.3 5.5%
5.4%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 7.0 7.5 9.4 10.2 10.6 11.1 7.0%
7.5%
Other household types 20.0 21.2 15.8 16.8 16.1 16.9 20.0%
21.2%

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.

Tell us what you think about this publication by answering a few questions.

Download the data used in this article

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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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