The population passed 140,000
Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Middlesbrough increased by 4.0%, from just over 138,400 in 2011 to around 143,900 in 2021.
This means Middlesbrough's population saw the third-largest percentage increase in the North East, behind Newcastle upon Tyne (where the population increased by 7.1%) and North Tyneside (4.1%). The population of the North East increased by 1.9%, while the population of England rose by 6.6%.
In 2021, Middlesbrough was home to around 19.1 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 18.3 in 2011. This area was the most densely populated local authority area across the North East.
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 Middlesbrough than across the North East
Percentage population change, Middlesbrough and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% North East ▲1.9% Middlesbrough ▲4.0%-2 | -0.5 | 0.5 | +2 | +8 | +16% |
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Median age stable in Middlesbrough
The latest census data also show that the average (median) age remained 37 years in Middlesbrough between the last two censuses.
This area had the second-lowest average (median) age in the North East (behind Newcastle upon Tyne) 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 65 to 74 years rose by around 2,800 (an increase of 26.2%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by just under 1,700 (6.2% decrease).
The share of residents aged between 65 and 74 years increased by 1.7 percentage points between 2011 and 2021
Percentage of usual residents
by age group,
85 years and over | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 1.8%
2.1% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
75 to 84 years | 5.3 | 5.2 | 6.0 | 6.6 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 5.3%
5.2% |
65 to 74 years | 7.8 | 9.5 | 9.2 | 11.3 | 8.6 | 9.8 | 7.8%
9.5% |
50 to 64 years | 17.8 | 18.6 | 19.7 | 20.8 | 18.1 | 19.4 | 17.8%
18.6% |
35 to 49 years | 19.5 | 17.6 | 20.7 | 17.9 | 21.3 | 19.4 | 19.5%
17.6% |
25 to 34 years | 13.0 | 14.3 | 12.1 | 12.4 | 13.5 | 13.6 | 13.0%
14.3% |
20 to 24 years | 8.4 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 6.2 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 8.4%
7.1% |
16 to 19 years | 6.0 | 4.7 | 5.3 | 4.6 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 6.0%
4.7% |
10 to 15 years | 7.4 | 7.8 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.4%
7.8% |
5 to 9 years | 6.0 | 6.8 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 6.0%
6.8% |
4 years and under | 6.8 | 6.2 | 5.8 | 5.1 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 6.8%
6.2% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Employment in Middlesbrough
The percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed increased in Middlesbrough, but fell across the North East.
In Middlesbrough, the percentage who were employed rose from 46.8% in 2011 to 47.3% in 2021. During the same period, the regional percentage fell from 52.0% to 50.6%.
The percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were unemployed (excluding full-time students) in Middlesbrough fell from 6.9% to 3.8%, while the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were retired (economically inactive) decreased from 20.9% to 20.4%.
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 Middlesbrough increased by 0.4 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by economic activity status,
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment | 46.8 | 47.3 | 52.0 | 50.6 | 56.5 | 55.7 | 46.8%
47.3% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed | 6.9 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 2.9 | 6.9%
3.8% |
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 2.7%
2.3% |
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.3%
1.3% |
Economically inactive: Retired | 20.9 | 20.4 | 23.6 | 24.6 | 21.2 | 21.5 | 20.9%
20.4% |
Economically inactive: Student | 6.8 | 7.0 | 5.3 | 5.8 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 6.8%
7.0% |
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family | 5.1 | 6.6 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 5.1%
6.6% |
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled | 6.4 | 6.9 | 5.4 | 5.7 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 6.4%
6.9% |
Economically inactive: Other | 3.1 | 4.4 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 2.2 | 3.1 | 3.1%
4.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Middlesbrough 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 the North East.
In Middlesbrough, the percentage that worked 15 hours or less in a week fell from 10.5% in 2011 to 10.1% in 2021. During the same period, the regional percentage increased from 8.8% to 9.2%.
The percentage of adults in employment who worked 49 hours or more in Middlesbrough fell from 9.4% to 8.6%, while the percentage of adults in employment who worked 31 to 48 hours increased from 55.4% to 57.7%.
Working hours may have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less in Middlesbrough decreased by 0.5 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 | 10.5 | 10.1 | 8.8 | 9.2 | 9.7 | 10.3 | 10.5%
10.1% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
16 to 30 hours worked | 24.7 | 23.6 | 21.3 | 21.1 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 24.7%
23.6% |
31 to 48 hours worked | 55.4 | 57.7 | 59.2 | 60.4 | 57.5 | 59.1 | 55.4%
57.7% |
49 or more hours worked | 9.4 | 8.6 | 10.7 | 9.3 | 13.3 | 11.1 | 9.4%
8.6% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
National identity in Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough saw the North East's largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK (from 4.8% in 2011 to 7.9% in 2021).
Newcastle upon Tyne saw the North East's next largest increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK (from 9.4% in 2011 to 11.5% in 2021).
Every local authority area across the North East 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 2.9% to 4.1%.
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 Middlesbrough increased by 3.1 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents
by national identity,
British only identity | 14.7 | 57.4 | 14.7 | 59.9 | 19.2 | 56.8 | 14.7%
57.4% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welsh only identity | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.1%
0.1% |
Welsh and British only identity | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0%
0.0% |
English only identity | 69.4 | 14.3 | 69.7 | 15.3 | 60.4 | 15.3 | 69.4%
14.3% |
English and British only identity | 9.5 | 18.7 | 10.5 | 18.6 | 9.1 | 14.3 | 9.5%
18.7% |
Any other combination of only UK identities | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.0%
0.7% |
Non-UK identity only | 4.8 | 7.9 | 2.9 | 4.1 | 8.2 | 10.0 | 4.8%
7.9% |
UK identity and non-UK identity | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 0.4%
0.9% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Rise in private renting
Middlesbrough saw the North East's second-largest percentage-point rise in the proportion of privately-rented homes (from 16.6% in 2011 to 21.0% in 2021).
Across the region, only County Durham saw a greater rise in the percentage of privately-rented homes (from 12.6% to 17.1%).
Every local authority area across the North East saw a rise in the percentage of privately-rented homes, as the regional percentage grew from 13.7% to 17.2%.
Private renting in Middlesbrough increased by 4.4 percentage points
Percentage of households
by housing tenure,
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan | 57.2 | 55.0 | 61.8 | 60.3 | 63.3 | 61.3 | 57.2%
55.0% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shared ownership | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.6%
0.5% |
Social rented | 23.9 | 23.2 | 23.0 | 22.0 | 17.7 | 17.1 | 23.9%
23.2% |
Private rented | 16.6 | 21.0 | 13.7 | 17.2 | 16.8 | 20.5 | 16.6%
21.0% |
Lives rent free | 1.7 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.7%
0.2% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Ethnic groups in Middlesbrough
In 2021, 10.5% of Middlesbrough residents identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category, up from 7.8% in 2011. The 2.7 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.
Across the North East, the percentage of people from the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" ethnic group increased from 2.9% to 3.7%, while across England the percentage increased from 7.8% to 9.6%.
In 2021, 82.4% of people in Middlesbrough identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 88.2% in 2011), while 2.7% identified their ethnic group within the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category (compared with 1.3% the previous decade).
The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Other" category ("Arab" or "Any other ethnic group") increased from 1.1% in 2011 to 2.4% 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, 10.5% of usual residents in Middlesbrough 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 | 7.8 | 10.5 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 7.8 | 9.6 | 7.8%
10.5% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African | 1.3 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 1.3%
2.7% |
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups | 1.7 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 1.7%
2.1% |
White | 88.2 | 82.4 | 95.3 | 93.0 | 85.4 | 81.0 | 88.2%
82.4% |
Other ethnic groups | 1.1 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 1.1%
2.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Religion in Middlesbrough
In 2021, 36.4% of Middlesbrough residents reported having "No religion", up from 22.3% in 2011. The rise of 14.2 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in Middlesbrough. 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 North East, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 23.4% to 40.0%, while across England the percentage increased from 24.8% to 36.7%.
In 2021, 46.0% of people in Middlesbrough described themselves as Christian (down from 63.2%), while 10.2% described themselves as Muslim (up from 7.0% 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, 36.4% of usual residents in Middlesbrough reported having "No religion"
Percentage of usual residents
by religion,
No religion | 22.3 | 36.4 | 23.4 | 40.0 | 24.8 | 36.7 | 22.3%
36.4% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Christian | 63.2 | 46.0 | 67.5 | 50.8 | 59.4 | 46.3 | 63.2%
46.0% |
Buddhist | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.3%
0.3% |
Hindu | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.4%
1.0% |
Jewish | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0%
0.0% |
Muslim | 7.0 | 10.2 | 1.8 | 2.7 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 7.0%
10.2% |
Sikh | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.4%
0.4% |
Other | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.2%
0.3% |
Not answered | 6.2 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 5.0 | 7.1 | 6.0 | 6.2%
5.3% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Middlesbrough residents' country of birth
In the latest census, around 124,300 Middlesbrough residents said they were born in England. This represented 86.4% of the local population. The figure has decreased from just under 124,800 in 2011, which at the time represented 90.2% of Middlesbrough's population.
Pakistan was the next most represented, with just over 2,900 Middlesbrough residents reporting this country of birth (2.0%). This figure was up from just under 2,500 in 2011, which at the time represented 1.8% of the population of Middlesbrough.
The number of Middlesbrough residents born in India rose from just over 900 in 2011 (0.7% of the local population) to around 2,100 in 2021 (1.4%).
In 2021, 86.4% of Middlesbrough residents reported their country of birth as England
Percentage of usual residents
by country of birth,
England | 90.2 | 86.4 | 92.6 | 90.9 | 83.5 | 80.3 | 90.2%
86.4% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pakistan | 1.8 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.8%
2.0% |
India | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.7%
1.4% |
Scotland | 1.0 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.0%
0.8% |
Romania | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.0%
0.8% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
Notes:
- This chart shows the five most common countries of birth in Middlesbrough in 2021
- Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings
| |
Marriage and civil partnership in Middlesbrough
Of Middlesbrough residents aged 16 years and over, 39.4% said they were married or in a registered civil partnership in 2021, down from 41.6% in 2011.
In 2021, just over 4 in 10 people (43.1%) said they had never been married or in a civil partnership, compared with 39.4% in 2011. The percentage of adults in Middlesbrough that had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership decreased from 8.8% to 8.5%.
This area had the region’s second lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were married (or in a civil partnership). Across the region, only Newcastle upon Tyne, with 35.3%, had a lower percentage.
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 Middlesbrough decreased by 2.1 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by legal partnership status,
Never married and never registered a civil partnership | 39.4 | 43.1 | 34.4 | 38.1 | 34.6 | 37.9 | 39.4%
43.1% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Married or in a registered civil partnership | 41.6 | 39.4 | 45.7 | 43.0 | 46.8 | 44.7 | 41.6%
39.4% |
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 2.7%
2.5% |
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved | 8.8 | 8.5 | 9.4 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 8.8%
8.5% |
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner | 7.5 | 6.4 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 7.5%
6.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Disability in Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough saw the North East's joint largest percentage-point rise (alongside Newcastle upon Tyne) in the proportion of non-disabled residents (from 76.1% in 2011 to 78.1% 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.
County Durham saw the North East's next largest increase in the proportion of non-disabled residents (from 75.7% in 2011 to 77.6% in 2021).
Every local authority area across the North East saw a rise in the proportion of non-disabled residents, as the regional proportion grew from 77.2% to 78.8%.
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 Middlesbrough increased by 2.0 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by long-term health condition or illness,
Disabled and limited a lot | 12.5 | 10.8 | 11.6 | 9.8 | 9.1 | 7.5 | 12.5%
10.8% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Disabled and limited a little | 11.4 | 11.1 | 11.2 | 11.4 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 11.4%
11.1% |
Not disabled | 76.1 | 78.1 | 77.2 | 78.8 | 80.7 | 82.3 | 76.1%
78.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Change in unpaid care
Middlesbrough saw the North East's joint second-largest percentage-point rise (alongside South Tyneside and Sunderland) in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care (from 1.9% in 2011 to 2.6% 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 Hartlepool saw a greater rise in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care (from 1.8% to 2.9%).
Every local authority area across the North East saw a rise in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care, as the regional proportion grew from 1.7% to 2.3%.
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 those providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care in Middlesbrough increased by 0.7 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 | 88.4 | 90.2 | 88.2 | 89.9 | 88.7 | 91.1 | 88.4%
90.2% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care | 6.1 | 3.7 | 6.8 | 4.3 | 7.2 | 4.4 | 6.1%
3.7% |
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care | 1.9 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.9%
2.6% |
50 or more hours of unpaid care | 3.7 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 3.7%
3.5% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Family in Middlesbrough
Of Middlesbrough households, 17.0% included a couple with dependent children in 2021, down from 17.7% in 2011.
In 2021, just under one in seven households (14.0%) included a couple but no children, compared with 14.7% in 2011. The percentage of single family households including a couple living with only non-dependent children decreased from 6.8% to 6.3%.
This area had the region’s third highest percentage of households including a couple with dependent children. Across the region, only Stockton-on-Tees (19.3%) and North Tyneside (17.5%) had a higher percentage of households including a couple with dependent children.
The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children in Middlesbrough decreased by 0.7 percentage points
Percentage of households
by household composition,
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) | 12.7 | 12.8 | 13.5 | 14.3 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 12.7%
12.8% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
One-person household: Other | 18.2 | 20.3 | 18.4 | 19.4 | 17.9 | 17.3 | 18.2%
20.3% |
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children | 14.7 | 14.0 | 17.7 | 17.0 | 17.6 | 16.8 | 14.7%
14.0% |
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children | 17.7 | 17.0 | 17.9 | 16.4 | 19.3 | 18.9 | 17.7%
17.0% |
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent | 6.8 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 6.5 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.8%
6.3% |
Single-family household: Lone-parent household | 14.9 | 15.2 | 11.9 | 12.2 | 10.6 | 11.1 | 14.9%
15.2% |
Other household types | 14.9 | 14.4 | 13.9 | 14.3 | 16.1 | 16.9 | 14.9%
14.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Health in Middlesbrough
In 2021, 43.8% of Middlesbrough residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 41.6% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 33.5% to 33.3%. 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 Middlesbrough residents describing their health as "very bad" decreased from 2.1% to 1.9%, while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 6.7% to 6.1%.
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 Middlesbrough increased by 2.2 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by self-reported health,
Very good health | 41.6 | 43.8 | 42.7 | 44.7 | 45.0 | 47.5 | 41.6%
43.8% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Good health | 33.5 | 33.3 | 33.5 | 33.6 | 34.8 | 34.2 | 33.5%
33.3% |
Fair health | 16.1 | 14.9 | 15.9 | 14.8 | 14.2 | 13.0 | 16.1%
14.9% |
Bad health | 6.7 | 6.1 | 6.0 | 5.3 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 6.7%
6.1% |
Very bad health | 2.1 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 2.1%
1.9% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
About the data
Census data are adjusted to reflect estimated non-response so that the published results relate to the entire usually resident population as it was on Census Day (21 March 2021).
Those respondents who were on furlough because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic were asked to classify themselves as "temporarily away from work" to ensure they remained in the economically active population.
Students are counted as usually resident at their term-time address even if they were not physically present there on Census Day.
The questions relating to disability differed slightly between 2011 and 2021 to ensure that data were more closely aligned with the definition of disability in the Equality Act (2010). There was also a change to question wording for unpaid care, for more information read the health, disability and unpaid care quality information.
Age-standardised proportions are used throughout the health, disability and unpaid care sections. They allow for fairer comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure. The 2013 European Standard Population is used to standardise proportions.
Percentages and percentage point changes have been individually rounded to one decimal place. This means they may not sum exactly.
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xlsx (1.5 MB)About these articles
There is an article like this for every local authority district in England and Wales. The articles have been written and semi-automated by our data journalists and are a new publishing format for the Office for National Statistics.
Topics are chosen and ordered automatically based on how relevant they are for each area, however all data are checked before publishing.
We have not included topics that were new for Census 2021 or where there is no comparability with the 2011 Census. Read about how we developed and tested the questions for Census 2021.
These articles were first published on 8 December 2022 covering topics such as demography, country of birth, ethnic groups, religion, national identity and economic activity status. They were updated on 19 January 2023 following the release of more data from Census 2021 and now include housing tenure, general health, disability and unpaid care.
Related links
Supporting information | Released 2 November 2022
What topic summary data for Census 2021 will be available and how to view them.
Interactive tool | Released 8 December 2022
Use our interactive map to find out what people’s lives are like across England and Wales.
How well do you know your area?
Digital Content Article | Released 2 December 2022
Test your knowledge of where you live with our Census quiz.
Contact
census.customerservices@ons.gov.ukTelephone: +44 1329 44 4972