The population passed 350,000
Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Wakefield increased by 8.4%, from just over 325,800 in 2011 to around 353,400 in 2021.
This means Wakefield's population saw the second-largest percentage increase in Yorkshire and The Humber, behind Selby (where the population increased by 10.2%). The population of Yorkshire and The Humber increased by 3.7%, while the population of England rose by 6.6%.
In 2021, Wakefield was home to around 7.5 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 6.9 in 2011. This area was among the top 45% most densely populated English local authority areas at the last census.
This article generally uses percentages to enable comparisons over time and between areas. The percentage point change is also used to show the difference between the 2011 and 2021 percentages.
Population growth was higher in Wakefield than across Yorkshire and The Humber
Percentage population change, Wakefield and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% Yorkshire and The Humber ▲3.7% Wakefield ▲8.4%| -2 | -0.5 | 0.5 | +2 | +8 | +16% |
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Median age stable in Wakefield
The latest census data also show that the average (median) age remained 41 years in Wakefield between the last two censuses.
This area had a slightly higher average (median) age than Yorkshire and The Humber as a whole in 2021 (40 years) and a slightly 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 25 to 34 years rose by around 9,600 (an increase of 24.4%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by around 4,700 (6.6% decrease).
The share of residents aged between 25 and 34 years increased by 1.8 percentage points between 2011 and 2021
Percentage of usual residents
by age group,
| 85 years and over | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.0%
2.1% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 to 84 years | 5.6 | 6.3 | 5.6 | 6.3 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 5.6%
6.3% |
| 65 to 74 years | 9.3 | 10.4 | 8.8 | 10.3 | 8.6 | 9.8 | 9.3%
10.4% |
| 50 to 64 years | 19.6 | 20.6 | 18.4 | 19.7 | 18.1 | 19.4 | 19.6%
20.6% |
| 35 to 49 years | 22.1 | 19.0 | 20.9 | 18.5 | 21.3 | 19.4 | 22.1%
19.0% |
| 25 to 34 years | 12.1 | 13.9 | 12.7 | 13.1 | 13.5 | 13.6 | 12.1%
13.9% |
| 20 to 24 years | 6.0 | 5.1 | 7.2 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 6.0%
5.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 4.9 | 3.9 | 5.4 | 4.7 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 4.9%
3.9% |
| 10 to 15 years | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.0%
7.0% |
| 5 to 9 years | 5.4 | 5.9 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 5.4%
5.9% |
| 4 years and under | 6.0 | 5.7 | 6.2 | 5.4 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 6.0%
5.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Health in Wakefield
In 2021, 44.1% of Wakefield residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 41.4% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" rose from 34.1% to 34.5%. 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 Wakefield residents describing their health as "very bad" decreased from 1.8% to 1.5%, while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 6.3% to 5.2%.
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 Wakefield increased by 0.4 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by self-reported health,
| Very good health | 41.4 | 44.1 | 43.4 | 45.3 | 45.0 | 47.5 | 41.4%
44.1% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good health | 34.1 | 34.5 | 34.9 | 34.8 | 34.8 | 34.2 | 34.1%
34.5% |
| Fair health | 16.4 | 14.7 | 15.1 | 14.0 | 14.2 | 13.0 | 16.4%
14.7% |
| Bad health | 6.3 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 6.3%
5.2% |
| Very bad health | 1.8 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.8%
1.5% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Disability in Wakefield
Wakefield saw Yorkshire and The Humber's joint largest percentage-point fall (alongside Barnsley) in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot (from 12.2% in 2011 to 9.4% 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.
Doncaster saw Yorkshire and The Humber's next largest decrease in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot (from 12.0% in 2011 to 9.5% in 2021).
Every local authority area across Yorkshire and The Humber saw a fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot, as the regional proportion fell from 9.9% to 8.2%.
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 Wakefield decreased by 2.8 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by long-term health condition or illness,
| Disabled and limited a lot | 12.2 | 9.4 | 9.9 | 8.2 | 9.1 | 7.5 | 12.2%
9.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled and limited a little | 11.3 | 11.1 | 10.5 | 10.7 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 11.3%
11.1% |
| Not disabled | 76.5 | 79.5 | 79.5 | 81.1 | 80.7 | 82.3 | 76.5%
79.5% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Wakefield residents' country of birth
In the latest census, around 317,700 Wakefield residents said they were born in England. This represented 89.9% of the local population. The figure has risen from just over 302,200 in 2011, which at the time represented 92.8% of Wakefield's population.
Poland was the next most represented, with just under 8,800 Wakefield residents reporting this country of birth (2.5%). This figure was up from just under 4,300 in 2011, which at the time represented 1.3% of the population of Wakefield.
The number of Wakefield residents born in Scotland fell from around 3,900 in 2011 (1.2% of the local population) to just over 3,500 in 2021 (1.0%).
In 2021, 89.9% of Wakefield residents reported their country of birth as England
Percentage of usual residents
by country of birth,
| England | 92.8 | 89.9 | 89.1 | 86.8 | 83.5 | 80.3 | 92.8%
89.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 1.3 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.3%
2.5% |
| Scotland | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.2%
1.0% |
| Pakistan | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.6%
0.8% |
| Countries that joined the EU between April 2001 and March 2011 (other than Poland, Croatia, Lithuania and Romania) | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.4%
0.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
Notes:
- This chart shows the five most common countries of birth in Wakefield in 2021
- Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings
| |
More adults never married or in a civil partnership
Wakefield saw Yorkshire and The Humber's joint second-largest percentage-point rise (alongside Barnsley) in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership (from 30.9% in 2011 to 36.0% in 2021).
Across the region, only Rotherham saw a greater rise in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership (from 30.5% to 36.0%).
Every local authority area across Yorkshire and The Humber saw a rise in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership, as the regional percentage grew from 33.9% to 37.7%.
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 Wakefield increased by 5.1 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by legal partnership status,
| Never married and never registered a civil partnership | 30.9 | 36.0 | 33.9 | 37.7 | 34.6 | 37.9 | 30.9%
36.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Married or in a registered civil partnership | 48.4 | 44.5 | 47.0 | 44.2 | 46.8 | 44.7 | 48.4%
44.5% |
| Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership | 2.6 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 2.6%
2.4% |
| Divorced or civil partnership dissolved | 10.5 | 10.5 | 9.3 | 9.4 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 10.5%
10.5% |
| Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner | 7.5 | 6.6 | 7.2 | 6.4 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 7.5%
6.6% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Change in housing in Wakefield
Wakefield saw Yorkshire and The Humber's second-largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of households in the social rented sector (from 23.6% in 2011 to 21.7% in 2021).
Across the region, only Sheffield saw a greater fall in the percentage of households in the social rented sector (from 24.8% to 22.6%).
Despite the decrease, Wakefield was in the highest 15% of English local authority areas for the share of households in the social rented sector in 2021.
The rate of social renting in Wakefield decreased by 1.9 percentage points
Percentage of households
by housing tenure,
| Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan | 63.6 | 62.6 | 64.1 | 62.6 | 63.3 | 61.3 | 63.6%
62.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared ownership | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.5%
0.8% |
| Social rented | 23.6 | 21.7 | 18.1 | 17.3 | 17.7 | 17.1 | 23.6%
21.7% |
| Private rented | 11.4 | 14.9 | 15.9 | 19.4 | 16.8 | 20.5 | 11.4%
14.9% |
| Lives rent free | 0.9 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.9%
0.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Unpaid care in Wakefield
In 2021, 4.1% of Wakefield residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 6.8% 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 50 people (2.1%) reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 1.8% in 2011. The proportion of Wakefield residents (aged five years and over) that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care remained at 3.3%.
This area had the region’s joint third lowest proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care (alongside North Lincolnshire, Doncaster and Bradford). Across the region, only Kingston upon Hull (3.4%) and North East Lincolnshire (4.0%) 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 Wakefield decreased by 2.7 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 | 88.0 | 90.5 | 88.5 | 90.7 | 88.7 | 91.1 | 88.0%
90.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 19 hours of unpaid care | 6.8 | 4.1 | 7.1 | 4.4 | 7.2 | 4.4 | 6.8%
4.1% |
| 20 to 49 hours of unpaid care | 1.8 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.8%
2.1% |
| 50 or more hours of unpaid care | 3.3 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 3.3%
3.3% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Religion in Wakefield
In 2021, 41.3% of Wakefield residents reported having "No religion", up from 24.4% in 2011. The rise of 16.9 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in Wakefield. 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 Yorkshire and The Humber, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 25.9% to 39.4%, while across England the percentage increased from 24.8% to 36.7%.
In 2021, 49.0% of people in Wakefield described themselves as Christian (down from 66.4%), while 5.4% did not state their religion (down from 6.4% 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, 41.3% of usual residents in Wakefield reported having "No religion"
Percentage of usual residents
by religion,
| No religion | 24.4 | 41.3 | 25.9 | 39.4 | 24.8 | 36.7 | 24.4%
41.3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian | 66.4 | 49.0 | 59.5 | 44.9 | 59.4 | 46.3 | 66.4%
49.0% |
| Buddhist | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2%
0.2% |
| Hindu | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.3%
0.4% |
| Jewish | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0%
0.0% |
| Muslim | 2.0 | 3.2 | 6.2 | 8.1 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 2.0%
3.2% |
| Sikh | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.1%
0.1% |
| Other | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.3%
0.4% |
| Not answered | 6.4 | 5.4 | 6.8 | 5.7 | 7.1 | 6.0 | 6.4%
5.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Family in Wakefield
In 2021, 6.6% of Wakefield households included a couple with only non-dependent children. This figure decreased from 7.0% in 2011.
Wakefield saw Yorkshire and The Humber's joint third-largest fall (alongside East Riding of Yorkshire) in the percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children. This area had the region’s fifth highest percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children.
The percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children in Wakefield decreased by 0.4 percentage points
Percentage of households
by household composition,
| One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) | 13.0 | 13.0 | 12.7 | 13.3 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 13.0%
13.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-person household: Other | 16.7 | 17.3 | 17.9 | 18.2 | 17.9 | 17.3 | 16.7%
17.3% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children | 19.8 | 18.9 | 18.7 | 17.7 | 17.6 | 16.8 | 19.8%
18.9% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children | 19.3 | 18.8 | 19.2 | 18.2 | 19.3 | 18.9 | 19.3%
18.8% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent | 7.0 | 6.6 | 6.1 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 7.0%
6.6% |
| Single-family household: Lone-parent household | 11.0 | 11.2 | 10.4 | 11.0 | 10.6 | 11.1 | 11.0%
11.2% |
| Other household types | 13.2 | 14.1 | 15.1 | 15.5 | 16.1 | 16.9 | 13.2%
14.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
National identity in Wakefield
In 2021, 5.5% of Wakefield residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 3.5% in 2011.
In 2021, 1.0% of residents identified with a UK and non-UK national identity, compared with 0.3% in 2011. The percentage of residents in Wakefield that identified as "British only" increased from 12.8% to 57.8%.
The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK was greater in Wakefield (2.0 percentage points) than across Yorkshire and The Humber (1.6 percentage points, from 5.1% to 6.7%). 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 Wakefield increased by 2.0 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents
by national identity,
| British only identity | 12.8 | 57.8 | 17.0 | 58.7 | 19.2 | 56.8 | 12.8%
57.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welsh only identity | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.2%
0.1% |
| Welsh and British only identity | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0%
0.1% |
| English only identity | 71.6 | 16.2 | 65.7 | 15.3 | 60.4 | 15.3 | 71.6%
16.2% |
| English and British only identity | 10.4 | 18.6 | 10.2 | 16.8 | 9.1 | 14.3 | 10.4%
18.6% |
| Any other combination of only UK identities | 1.1 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.1%
0.7% |
| Non-UK identity only | 3.5 | 5.5 | 5.1 | 6.7 | 8.2 | 10.0 | 3.5%
5.5% |
| UK identity and non-UK identity | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 0.3%
1.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Employment in Wakefield
Of Wakefield residents aged 16 years and over, 56.1% said they were employed (excluding full-time students) in 2021, a similar percentage as in 2011 (55.9%).
The percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed fell from 54.5% to 53.5% across Yorkshire and The Humber. Across England, the percentage fell from 56.5% to 55.7%.
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 Wakefield increased by 0.2 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by economic activity status,
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment | 55.9 | 56.1 | 54.5 | 53.5 | 56.5 | 55.7 | 55.9%
56.1% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed | 4.4 | 2.6 | 4.4 | 2.7 | 4.0 | 2.9 | 4.4%
2.6% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: In employment | 1.4 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 1.4%
1.1% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.5%
0.4% |
| Economically inactive: Retired | 23.3 | 23.3 | 22.2 | 22.9 | 21.2 | 21.5 | 23.3%
23.3% |
| Economically inactive: Student | 3.2 | 3.3 | 5.4 | 5.8 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 3.2%
3.3% |
| Economically inactive: Looking after home or family | 3.6 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 4.9 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 3.6%
4.5% |
| Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled | 5.5 | 5.4 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 5.5%
5.4% |
| Economically inactive: Other | 2.2 | 3.3 | 2.2 | 3.2 | 2.2 | 3.1 | 2.2%
3.3% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Working hours in Wakefield
In 2021, 7.9% of Wakefield residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked 15 hours or less per week. This figure was at a similar level in 2011 (8.0%).
In 2021, just under 1 in 10 people (9.7%) said they worked over 49 hours per week, compared with 11.0% in 2011. The percentage of adults in employment working 31 to 48 hours per week increased from 60.3% to 62.8%.
This area had the country's joint third lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week (alongside Halton). Across the country, only City of London (7.2%) and Knowsley (7.8%) had a lower percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week.
Because of its small size, comparisons to City of London should be made with caution.
Working hours may have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less in Wakefield decreased by 0.2 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 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 9.6 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 10.3 | 8.0%
7.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 to 30 hours worked | 20.7 | 19.6 | 21.2 | 21.1 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 20.7%
19.6% |
| 31 to 48 hours worked | 60.3 | 62.8 | 57.3 | 59.3 | 57.5 | 59.1 | 60.3%
62.8% |
| 49 or more hours worked | 11.0 | 9.7 | 11.9 | 9.9 | 13.3 | 11.1 | 11.0%
9.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Ethnic groups in Wakefield
In 2021, 3.6% of Wakefield residents identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category, up from 2.6% in 2011. The 1.0 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.
Across Yorkshire and The Humber, the percentage of people from the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" ethnic group increased from 7.3% to 8.9%, while across England the percentage increased from 7.8% to 9.6%.
In 2021, 93.0% of people in Wakefield identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 95.4% in 2011), while 1.4% identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category (compared with 0.9% the previous decade).
The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category increased from 0.8% in 2011 to 1.3% 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, 3.6% of usual residents in Wakefield identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category
Percentage of usual residents
by ethnic group,
| Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh | 2.6 | 3.6 | 7.3 | 8.9 | 7.8 | 9.6 | 2.6%
3.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African | 0.8 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 0.8%
1.3% |
| Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 0.9%
1.4% |
| White | 95.4 | 93.0 | 88.8 | 85.4 | 85.4 | 81.0 | 95.4%
93.0% |
| Other ethnic groups | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.3%
0.7% |
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.
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Use our interactive map to find out what people’s lives are like across England and Wales.
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Digital Content Article | Released 2 December 2022
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Contact
census.customerservices@ons.gov.ukTelephone: +44 1329 44 4972