/visualisations/censusareachanges/E08000031/

The population passed a quarter of a million

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Wolverhampton increased by 5.7%, from just under 249,500 in 2011 to around 263,700 in 2021.

The population here increased at a similar rate to the overall population of the West Midlands (6.2%), but by a smaller percentage than the overall population of England (up 6.6% since the 2011 Census).

In 2021, Wolverhampton was home to around 27.1 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 25.7 in 2011. This area was the third-most densely populated local authority area across the West Midlands (after Birmingham and Sandwell).

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 Wolverhampton than across the West Midlands

Percentage population change, Wolverhampton and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% West Midlands ▲6.2% Wolverhampton ▲5.7%
-2-0.50.5+2+8+16%

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

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Median age in Wolverhampton

Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of Wolverhampton increased by one year, from 37 to 38 years of age.

This area had a lower average (median) age than the West Midlands as a whole in 2021 (40 years) 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 50 to 64 years rose by just over 7,400 (an increase of 18.0%), while the number of residents between 20 and 24 years fell by around 2,200 (12.2% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 50 and 64 years increased by 1.9 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Wolverhampton_% 2021_Wolverhampton_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Wolverhampton Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 2.2 2.4 2.2 2.5 2.2 2.4 2.2%
2.4%
75 to 84 years 5.8 5.5 5.7 6.4 5.5 6.1 5.8%
5.5%
65 to 74 years 8.2 8.6 9.0 9.9 8.6 9.8 8.2%
8.6%
50 to 64 years 16.5 18.4 18.0 19.3 18.1 19.4 16.5%
18.4%
35 to 49 years 21.0 20.0 20.9 18.7 21.3 19.4 21.0%
20.0%
25 to 34 years 13.8 13.6 12.6 13.0 13.5 13.6 13.8%
13.6%
20 to 24 years 7.2 6.0 6.8 6.1 6.8 6.0 7.2%
6.0%
16 to 19 years 5.4 4.6 5.3 4.8 5.1 4.6 5.4%
4.6%
10 to 15 years 7.3 8.1 7.4 7.5 7.0 7.2 7.3%
8.1%
5 to 9 years 5.8 6.7 5.8 6.2 5.6 5.9 5.8%
6.7%
4 years and under 6.7 6.2 6.3 5.6 6.3 5.4 6.7%
6.2%

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

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Employment in Wolverhampton

The percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed increased in Wolverhampton, but fell across the West Midlands.

In Wolverhampton, the percentage who were employed rose from 50.1% in 2011 to 51.6% in 2021. During the same period, the regional percentage fell from 54.4% to 53.3%.

The percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were unemployed (excluding full-time students) in Wolverhampton fell from 7.1% to 4.7%, while the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were retired (economically inactive) decreased from 21.2% to 19.2%.

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 Wolverhampton increased by 1.5 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Wolverhampton_% 2021_Wolverhampton_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Wolverhampton Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 50.1 51.6 54.4 53.3 56.5 55.7 50.1%
51.6%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 7.1 4.7 4.6 3.2 4.0 2.9 7.1%
4.7%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 2.3 1.8 2.2 1.7 2.4 1.7 2.3%
1.8%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.6 1.0%
0.9%
Economically inactive: Retired 21.2 19.2 22.0 22.1 21.2 21.5 21.2%
19.2%
Economically inactive: Student 5.5 5.8 5.4 5.8 5.3 5.6 5.5%
5.8%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 4.8 6.6 4.1 5.4 4.0 4.8 4.8%
6.6%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 5.1 5.3 4.1 4.5 3.8 4.1 5.1%
5.3%
Economically inactive: Other 3.0 4.1 2.3 3.4 2.2 3.1 3.0%
4.1%

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

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Wolverhampton stood out from other areas for working hours

The percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week fell here, but rose across England.

In Wolverhampton, the percentage that worked 15 hours or less in a week fell from 9.3% in 2011 to 8.9% in 2021, while across England it rose from 9.7% to 10.3%. During the same period, the regional percentage increased from 9.6% to 9.9%.

The percentage of adults in employment who worked 49 hours or more in Wolverhampton fell from 9.5% to 8.7%, while the percentage of adults in employment who worked 31 to 48 hours increased from 60.5% to 62.4%.

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

The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less in Wolverhampton decreased 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_Wolverhampton_% 2021_Wolverhampton_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Wolverhampton Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 9.3 8.9 9.6 9.9 9.7 10.3 9.3%
8.9%
16 to 30 hours worked 20.6 20.0 20.2 20.0 19.5 19.5 20.6%
20.0%
31 to 48 hours worked 60.5 62.4 58.1 60.1 57.5 59.1 60.5%
62.4%
49 or more hours worked 9.5 8.7 12.1 10.1 13.3 11.1 9.5%
8.7%

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

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Family in Wolverhampton

The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children increased in this area, but fell across the West Midlands.

In Wolverhampton, the percentage of households including a couple with dependent children rose from 17.9% in 2011 to 18.9% in 2021. During the same period, the regional percentage fell from 19.7% to 19.0%.

The percentage of households including a couple without children in Wolverhampton fell from 13.1% to 12.5%, while the percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children increased from 7.0% to 7.5%.

The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children in Wolverhampton increased by 1.0 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Wolverhampton_% 2021_Wolverhampton_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Wolverhampton Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 12.9 12.4 12.6 13.1 12.4 12.8 12.9%
12.4%
One-person household: Other 19.3 18.5 16.9 16.8 17.9 17.3 19.3%
18.5%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 13.1 12.5 16.9 15.9 17.6 16.8 13.1%
12.5%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 17.9 18.9 19.7 19.0 19.3 18.9 17.9%
18.9%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 7.0 7.5 6.7 6.9 6.1 6.3 7.0%
7.5%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 14.0 14.9 11.3 11.8 10.6 11.1 14.0%
14.9%
Other household types 15.8 15.4 15.9 16.6 16.1 16.9 15.8%
15.4%

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

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National identity in Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton saw the West Midlands' largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK (from 8.9% in 2011 to 14.0% in 2021).

Sandwell saw the West Midlands' next largest increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK (from 8.8% in 2011 to 13.8% in 2021).

Every local authority area across the West Midlands 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 6.2% to 8.7%.

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 Wolverhampton increased by 5.1 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Wolverhampton_% 2021_Wolverhampton_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Wolverhampton Percentage in undefined
British only identity 22.2 56.0 19.2 56.9 19.2 56.8 22.2%
56.0%
Welsh only identity 0.4 0.2 0.8 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.4%
0.2%
Welsh and British only identity 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.0%
0.1%
English only identity 60.1 15.5 63.2 16.9 60.4 15.3 60.1%
15.5%
English and British only identity 7.1 12.3 8.7 14.6 9.1 14.3 7.1%
12.3%
Any other combination of only UK identities 0.6 0.4 1.1 0.7 1.6 1.1 0.6%
0.4%
Non-UK identity only 8.9 14.0 6.2 8.7 8.2 10.0 8.9%
14.0%
UK identity and non-UK identity 0.7 1.6 0.6 1.5 0.9 2.0 0.7%
1.6%

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

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Rise in private renting

Wolverhampton saw the West Midlands' joint second-largest percentage-point rise (alongside Stoke-on-Trent) in the proportion of privately-rented homes (from 13.2% in 2011 to 19.0% in 2021).

Across the region, only Telford and Wrekin saw a greater rise in the percentage of privately-rented homes (from 15.0% to 21.2%).

Every local authority area across the West Midlands saw a rise in the percentage of privately-rented homes, as the regional percentage grew from 14.0% to 17.9%.

Private renting in Wolverhampton increased by 5.9 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Wolverhampton_% 2021_Wolverhampton_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Wolverhampton Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 56.6 55.0 64.9 62.8 63.3 61.3 56.6%
55.0%
Shared ownership 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.8 0.8 1.0 0.4%
0.4%
Social rented 28.0 25.2 19.0 18.2 17.7 17.1 28.0%
25.2%
Private rented 13.2 19.0 14.0 17.9 16.8 20.5 13.2%
19.0%
Lives rent free 1.8 0.4 1.5 0.2 1.3 0.1 1.8%
0.4%

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

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Wolverhampton residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 200,600 Wolverhampton residents said they were born in England. This represented 76.1% of the local population. The figure has decreased from around 205,300 in 2011, which at the time represented 82.3% of Wolverhampton's population.

India was the next most represented, with just under 20,400 Wolverhampton residents reporting this country of birth (7.7%). This figure was up from around 15,000 in 2011, which at the time represented 6.0% of the population of Wolverhampton.

The number of Wolverhampton residents born in Romania rose from around 100 in 2011 (0.0% of the local population) to just under 3,700 in 2021 (1.4%).

In 2021, 76.1% of Wolverhampton residents reported their country of birth as England

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Wolverhampton_% 2021_Wolverhampton_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Wolverhampton Percentage in undefined
England 82.3 76.1 86.1 82.6 83.5 80.3 82.3%
76.1%
India 6.0 7.7 1.8 2.1 1.3 1.6 6.0%
7.7%
Romania 0.0 1.4 0.1 0.9 0.1 0.9 0.0%
1.4%
Poland 1.1 1.3 0.9 1.2 1.1 1.3 1.1%
1.3%
Jamaica 1.6 1.2 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 1.6%
1.2%

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

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Marriage and civil partnership in Wolverhampton

The decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were married (or in a civil partnership) was greater in nearby South Staffordshire (3.7 percentage points) than in Wolverhampton (1.1 percentage points).

In Wolverhampton, the percentage of adults who were married or in a civil partnership decreased from 43.8% in 2011 to 42.7% in 2021. During the same period, the percentage in nearby South Staffordshire decreased from 55.1% to 51.4%.

The percentage of adults who had never married or registered a civil partnership in Wolverhampton increased from 37.1% to 39.8%, while the percentage of adults who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership decreased from 8.5% to 8.4%.

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 were married or in a civil partnership in Wolverhampton decreased by 1.1 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Wolverhampton_% 2021_Wolverhampton_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Wolverhampton Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 37.1 39.8 33.7 37.1 34.6 37.9 37.1%
39.8%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 43.8 42.7 47.7 45.3 46.8 44.7 43.8%
42.7%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 2.7 2.4 2.6 2.3 2.7 2.2 2.7%
2.4%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 8.5 8.4 8.7 8.8 9.0 9.1 8.5%
8.4%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 7.9 6.7 7.3 6.5 6.9 6.1 7.9%
6.7%

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

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Health in Wolverhampton

In 2021, 42.1% of Wolverhampton residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 38.7% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 35.9% to 35.3%. 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 Wolverhampton residents describing their health as "very bad" decreased from 1.9% to 1.6%, while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 6.2% to 5.4%.

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 Wolverhampton increased by 3.4 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Wolverhampton_% 2021_Wolverhampton_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Wolverhampton Percentage in undefined
Very good health 38.7 42.1 42.8 45.2 45.0 47.5 38.7%
42.1%
Good health 35.9 35.3 35.4 35.0 34.8 34.2 35.9%
35.3%
Fair health 17.3 15.7 15.1 13.9 14.2 13.0 17.3%
15.7%
Bad health 6.2 5.4 5.1 4.5 4.6 4.1 6.2%
5.4%
Very bad health 1.9 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.9%
1.6%

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

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Disability in Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton saw the West Midlands' third-largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as disabled and limited a little (from 11.5% in 2011 to 10.4% 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 Sandwell (from 11.7% to 10.1%) and Birmingham (from 11.6% to 10.4%) saw a greater decrease in the proportion of residents who were identified as disabled and limited a little.

Across the West Midlands, the proportion of residents who were identified as disabled and limited a little fell from 10.6% to 10.4%, while the proportion in nearby South Staffordshire increased from 9.8% to 10.3%.

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 little in Wolverhampton 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_Wolverhampton_% 2021_Wolverhampton_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Wolverhampton Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 11.4 9.0 9.9 8.0 9.1 7.5 11.4%
9.0%
Disabled and limited a little 11.5 10.4 10.6 10.4 10.2 10.2 11.5%
10.4%
Not disabled 77.1 80.5 79.4 81.5 80.7 82.3 77.1%
80.5%

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

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Unpaid care in Wolverhampton

In 2021, 4.1% of Wolverhampton residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 6.9% in 2011. These are age-standardised proportions.

Age-standardised proportions are used throughout this section. They enable comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure.

In 2021, just under 1 in 40 people (2.4%) reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 1.9% in 2011. The proportion of Wolverhampton residents (aged five years and over) that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care decreased from 3.4% to 3.3%.

This area had the region’s third lowest proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care. Across the region, only Sandwell (3.8%) and Birmingham (3.9%) had a lower proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care.

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 Wolverhampton 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_Wolverhampton_% 2021_Wolverhampton_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Wolverhampton Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 87.7 90.3 87.8 90.5 88.7 91.1 87.7%
90.3%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 6.9 4.1 7.4 4.5 7.2 4.4 6.9%
4.1%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 1.9 2.4 1.7 2.1 1.5 1.8 1.9%
2.4%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 3.4 3.3 3.0 3.0 2.7 2.7 3.4%
3.3%

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

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Religion in Wolverhampton

In 2021, 27.8% of Wolverhampton residents reported having "No religion", up from 20.0% in 2011. The rise of 7.8 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in Wolverhampton. 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 West Midlands, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 22.0% to 32.9%, while across England the percentage increased from 24.8% to 36.7%.

In 2021, 43.8% of people in Wolverhampton described themselves as Christian (down from 55.5%), while 12.0% described themselves as Sikh (up from 9.1% 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, 27.8% of usual residents in Wolverhampton reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Wolverhampton_% 2021_Wolverhampton_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Wolverhampton Percentage in undefined
No religion 20.0 27.8 22.0 32.9 24.8 36.7 20.0%
27.8%
Christian 55.5 43.8 60.2 46.6 59.4 46.3 55.5%
43.8%
Buddhist 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.4%
0.3%
Hindu 3.7 3.7 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.8 3.7%
3.7%
Jewish 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.0%
0.0%
Muslim 3.6 5.5 6.7 9.6 5.0 6.7 3.6%
5.5%
Sikh 9.1 12.0 2.4 2.9 0.8 0.9 9.1%
12.0%
Other 1.2 1.2 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.6 1.2%
1.2%
Not answered 6.4 5.5 6.6 5.7 7.1 6.0 6.4%
5.5%

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

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Ethnic groups in Wolverhampton

In 2021, 21.2% of Wolverhampton residents identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category, up from 18.0% in 2011. The 3.2 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.

Across the West Midlands, the percentage of people from the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" ethnic group increased from 10.8% to 13.3%, while across England the percentage increased from 7.8% to 9.6%.

In 2021, 60.6% of people in Wolverhampton identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 68.0% in 2011), while 9.3% identified their ethnic group within the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category (compared with 6.9% the previous decade).

The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category increased from 5.1% in 2011 to 5.3% 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, 21.2% of usual residents in Wolverhampton 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_Wolverhampton_% 2021_Wolverhampton_% 2011_West Midlands_% 2021_West Midlands_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Wolverhampton Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 18.0 21.2 10.8 13.3 7.8 9.6 18.0%
21.2%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 6.9 9.3 3.3 4.5 3.5 4.2 6.9%
9.3%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 5.1 5.3 2.4 3.0 2.3 3.0 5.1%
5.3%
White 68.0 60.6 82.7 77.0 85.4 81.0 68.0%
60.6%
Other ethnic groups 1.9 3.6 0.9 2.1 1.0 2.2 1.9%
3.6%

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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