The population reached nearly 230,000
Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Luton increased by 10.9%, from just over 203,200 in 2011 to around 225,300 in 2021.
The population here increased by a greater percentage than the overall population of the East of England (8.3%), and by a greater percentage than the overall population of England (up 6.6% since the 2011 Census).
In 2021, Luton was home to around 37.1 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 33.5 in 2011. This area was the most 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 higher in Luton than across the East of England
Percentage population change, Luton and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% East of England ▲8.3% Luton ▲10.9%| -2 | -0.5 | 0.5 | +2 | +8 | +16% |
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Median age increased
Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of Luton increased by two years, from 32 to 34 years of age.
This area had the joint second-lowest average (median) age in the East of England (alongside Norwich and behind Cambridge) 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 around 7,300 (an increase of 25.4%), while the number of residents between 20 and 24 years fell by just over 1,000 (6.2% 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,
| 85 years and over | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 1.4%
1.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 to 84 years | 4.2 | 3.8 | 6.0 | 6.6 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 4.2%
3.8% |
| 65 to 74 years | 6.2 | 6.3 | 9.1 | 10.3 | 8.6 | 9.8 | 6.2%
6.3% |
| 50 to 64 years | 14.2 | 16.1 | 18.7 | 19.6 | 18.1 | 19.4 | 14.2%
16.1% |
| 35 to 49 years | 20.4 | 21.4 | 21.5 | 19.5 | 21.3 | 19.4 | 20.4%
21.4% |
| 25 to 34 years | 17.2 | 15.3 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 13.5 | 13.6 | 17.2%
15.3% |
| 20 to 24 years | 8.2 | 6.9 | 6.0 | 5.4 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 8.2%
6.9% |
| 16 to 19 years | 5.3 | 5.3 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 5.3%
5.3% |
| 10 to 15 years | 7.8 | 8.8 | 7.2 | 7.2 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.8%
8.8% |
| 5 to 9 years | 7.0 | 7.4 | 5.6 | 6.0 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 7.0%
7.4% |
| 4 years and under | 8.2 | 7.1 | 6.2 | 5.5 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 8.2%
7.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Family in Luton
The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children increased in Luton, but fell across the East of England.
In Luton, the percentage of households including a couple with dependent children rose from 21.9% in 2011 to 23.0% in 2021. During the same period, the regional percentage fell from 21.0% to 20.2%.
The percentage of households including a couple without children in Luton fell from 13.4% to 11.7%, while the percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children increased from 6.1% to 6.6%.
The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children in Luton increased by 1.1 percentage points
Percentage of households
by household composition,
| One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) | 9.7 | 9.2 | 12.7 | 13.2 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 9.7%
9.2% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-person household: Other | 17.7 | 17.4 | 15.8 | 15.7 | 17.9 | 17.3 | 17.7%
17.4% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children | 13.4 | 11.7 | 19.0 | 17.2 | 17.6 | 16.8 | 13.4%
11.7% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children | 21.9 | 23.0 | 21.0 | 20.2 | 19.3 | 18.9 | 21.9%
23.0% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent | 6.1 | 6.6 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.1%
6.6% |
| Single-family household: Lone-parent household | 12.0 | 13.3 | 9.4 | 10.2 | 10.6 | 11.1 | 12.0%
13.3% |
| Other household types | 19.2 | 18.6 | 15.8 | 16.8 | 16.1 | 16.9 | 19.2%
18.6% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Luton stood out from other areas for housing
The percentage of households in the social rented sector increased here, but fell across England.
In Luton, the percentage of households in the social rented sector rose from 15.8% in 2011 to 16.4% in 2021, while across England it fell from 17.7% to 17.1%. During the same period, the regional percentage fell from 15.7% to 15.5%.
Private renting in Luton increased from 22.6% to 29.0%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 60.2% to 53.9%.
The rate of social renting in Luton increased by 0.6 percentage points
Percentage of households
by housing tenure,
| Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan | 60.2 | 53.9 | 67.6 | 65.2 | 63.3 | 61.3 | 60.2%
53.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared ownership | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.4%
0.5% |
| Social rented | 15.8 | 16.4 | 15.7 | 15.5 | 17.7 | 17.1 | 15.8%
16.4% |
| Private rented | 22.6 | 29.0 | 14.7 | 18.2 | 16.8 | 20.5 | 22.6%
29.0% |
| Lives rent free | 1.0 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.0%
0.2% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Luton residents' country of birth
In the latest census, around 135,900 Luton residents said they were born in England. This represented 60.3% of the local population. The figure has decreased from just over 136,100 in 2011, which at the time represented 67.0% of Luton's population.
Pakistan was the next most represented, with just under 17,100 Luton residents reporting this country of birth (7.6%). This figure was up from just over 12,700 in 2011, which at the time represented 6.3% of the population of Luton.
The number of Luton residents born in Poland rose from around 8,200 in 2011 (4.0% of the local population) to just under 8,800 in 2021 (3.9%).
In 2021, 60.3% of Luton residents reported their country of birth as England
Percentage of usual residents
by country of birth,
| England | 67.0 | 60.3 | 86.6 | 83.1 | 83.5 | 80.3 | 67.0%
60.3% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 6.3 | 7.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 6.3%
7.6% |
| Poland | 4.0 | 3.9 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 4.0%
3.9% |
| Bangladesh | 3.1 | 3.9 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 3.1%
3.9% |
| Romania | 0.2 | 3.8 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.2%
3.8% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
Notes:
- This chart shows the five most common countries of birth in Luton in 2021
- Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings
| |
More people looking after their family or home
Luton saw England's joint third-largest percentage-point rise (alongside Pendle and Oldham) in the proportion of people who were economically inactive because they were looking after their family or home (from 6.2% in 2011 to 8.4% in 2021).
England's largest increases in the percentage of people who were economically inactive because they were looking after their family or home occurred in Birmingham (from 5.9% to 8.2%) and Sandwell (from 5.3% to 7.6%).
During this period, Luton overtook Blackburn with Darwen and Barking and Dagenham to become the English local authority area with the joint second-highest percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were looking after their family or home (alongside Tower Hamlets).
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 looking after their family or home (economically inactive) in Luton increased by 2.2 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by economic activity status,
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment | 53.9 | 54.2 | 58.4 | 57.3 | 56.5 | 55.7 | 53.9%
54.2% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed | 5.3 | 4.2 | 3.4 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 2.9 | 5.3%
4.2% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: In employment | 3.4 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 3.4%
3.0% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.8%
1.0% |
| Economically inactive: Retired | 15.7 | 14.0 | 22.5 | 22.9 | 21.2 | 21.5 | 15.7%
14.0% |
| Economically inactive: Student | 6.9 | 6.7 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 6.9%
6.7% |
| Economically inactive: Looking after home or family | 6.2 | 8.4 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 6.2%
8.4% |
| Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled | 3.6 | 3.9 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 3.6%
3.9% |
| Economically inactive: Other | 3.2 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 3.1 | 3.2%
4.5% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Fewer adults working long hours
In 2021, 8.8% of Luton residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked over 49 hours per week. This figure decreased from 10.0% in 2011.
In 2021, just under one in nine people (10.6%) said they worked 15 hours or less per week, compared with 9.6% in 2011. The percentage of adults in employment working 31 to 48 hours per week decreased from 60.7% to 59.8%.
This area had the region’s second lowest percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week. Across the region, only Norwich, with 8.5%, had a lower percentage.
Working hours may have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The percentage of adults in employment who worked 49 hours or more in Luton decreased by 1.2 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 | 9.6 | 10.6 | 10.4 | 10.8 | 9.7 | 10.3 | 9.6%
10.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 to 30 hours worked | 19.8 | 20.8 | 18.6 | 18.9 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 19.8%
20.8% |
| 31 to 48 hours worked | 60.7 | 59.8 | 56.7 | 58.4 | 57.5 | 59.1 | 60.7%
59.8% |
| 49 or more hours worked | 10.0 | 8.8 | 14.3 | 11.9 | 13.3 | 11.1 | 10.0%
8.8% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Religion in Luton
In 2021, 32.9% of Luton residents described themselves as Muslim, up from 24.6% in 2011. The rise of 8.3 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in Luton. 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 Muslim increased from 2.5% to 3.7%, while across England the percentage increased from 5.0% to 6.7%.
In 2021, 37.9% of people in Luton described themselves as Christian (down from 47.4%), while 17.6% reported having "No religion" (up from 16.5% 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, 32.9% of usual residents in Luton described themselves as Muslim
Percentage of usual residents
by religion,
| No religion | 16.5 | 17.6 | 27.9 | 40.2 | 24.8 | 36.7 | 16.5%
17.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian | 47.4 | 37.9 | 59.7 | 46.6 | 59.4 | 46.3 | 47.4%
37.9% |
| Buddhist | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.3%
0.3% |
| Hindu | 3.3 | 3.3 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 3.3%
3.3% |
| Jewish | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2%
0.1% |
| Muslim | 24.6 | 32.9 | 2.5 | 3.7 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 24.6%
32.9% |
| Sikh | 1.2 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.2%
1.3% |
| Other | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.4%
0.5% |
| Not answered | 6.1 | 6.1 | 7.3 | 6.1 | 7.1 | 6.0 | 6.1%
6.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Ethnic groups in Luton
In 2021, 37.0% of Luton residents identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category, up from 30.0% in 2011. The 7.0 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 the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" ethnic group increased from 4.8% to 6.4%, while across England the percentage increased from 7.8% to 9.6%.
In 2021, 45.2% of people in Luton identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 54.7% in 2011), while 10.1% identified their ethnic group within the "Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African" category (compared with 9.8% the previous decade).
The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category increased from 4.1% in 2011 to 4.3% 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, 37.0% of usual residents in Luton 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 | 30.0 | 37.0 | 4.8 | 6.4 | 7.8 | 9.6 | 30.0%
37.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African | 9.8 | 10.1 | 2.0 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 9.8%
10.1% |
| Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups | 4.1 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 4.1%
4.3% |
| White | 54.7 | 45.2 | 90.8 | 86.5 | 85.4 | 81.0 | 54.7%
45.2% |
| Other ethnic groups | 1.5 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 1.5%
3.5% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Disability in Luton
Luton saw the East of England's second-largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot (from 9.6% in 2011 to 7.7% 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 Thurrock saw a greater fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot (from 9.2% to 7.2%).
Every local authority area across the East of England saw a fall in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot, as the regional proportion fell from 7.8% to 6.6%.
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 Luton decreased by 1.9 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by long-term health condition or illness,
| Disabled and limited a lot | 9.6 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 6.6 | 9.1 | 7.5 | 9.6%
7.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled and limited a little | 10.6 | 8.9 | 9.7 | 10.0 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 10.6%
8.9% |
| Not disabled | 79.9 | 83.4 | 82.5 | 83.4 | 80.7 | 82.3 | 79.9%
83.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
More adults never married or in a civil partnership
The increase in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership was greater in nearby Central Bedfordshire (4.1 percentage points) than in Luton (1.9 percentage points).
In Luton, the percentage of adults who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased from 37.0% in 2011 to 38.9% in 2021. During the same period, the percentage in nearby Central Bedfordshire increased from 29.2% to 33.3%.
The percentage of adults who were married or in a civil partnership in Luton fell from 46.7% to 46.0%, while the percentage of adults who had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership increased from 7.4% to 7.5%.
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 Luton increased by 1.9 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by legal partnership status,
| Never married and never registered a civil partnership | 37.0 | 38.9 | 31.1 | 34.8 | 34.6 | 37.9 | 37.0%
38.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Married or in a registered civil partnership | 46.7 | 46.0 | 50.1 | 47.2 | 46.8 | 44.7 | 46.7%
46.0% |
| Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership | 3.1 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 3.1%
2.5% |
| Divorced or civil partnership dissolved | 7.4 | 7.5 | 9.2 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 7.4%
7.5% |
| Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner | 5.7 | 5.1 | 7.0 | 6.3 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 5.7%
5.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Unpaid care in Luton
In 2021, 3.7% of Luton residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 6.5% 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 1.6% in 2011. The proportion of Luton residents (aged five years and over) that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care decreased from 2.9% to 2.8%.
This area had the region’s joint lowest proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care (alongside Thurrock). Peterborough had the East of England's next lowest proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care (3.9%), while Three Rivers and South Cambridgeshire had the region's joint highest proportion (5.1%).
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 Luton 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,
| Does not provide weekly unpaid care | 89.1 | 91.5 | 88.9 | 91.3 | 88.7 | 91.1 | 89.1%
91.5% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 19 hours of unpaid care | 6.5 | 3.7 | 7.3 | 4.5 | 7.2 | 4.4 | 6.5%
3.7% |
| 20 to 49 hours of unpaid care | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.6%
2.1% |
| 50 or more hours of unpaid care | 2.9 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.9%
2.8% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
National identity in Luton
Of Luton residents, 22.2% did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK in 2021, up from 18.7% in 2011.
In 2021, just under 1 in 30 people (3.0%) identified with a UK and non-UK national identity, compared with 1.5% in 2011. The percentage of residents in Luton that identified as "British only" increased from 30.9% to 58.4%.
This area had the region’s second highest percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. Across the region, only Cambridge, with 26.9%, had a higher percentage.
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 Luton increased by 3.5 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents
by national identity,
| British only identity | 30.9 | 58.4 | 16.2 | 54.4 | 19.2 | 56.8 | 30.9%
58.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welsh only identity | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.3%
0.1% |
| Welsh and British only identity | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0%
0.0% |
| English only identity | 41.9 | 9.3 | 64.8 | 18.4 | 60.4 | 15.3 | 41.9%
9.3% |
| English and British only identity | 5.4 | 6.4 | 9.4 | 15.1 | 9.1 | 14.3 | 5.4%
6.4% |
| Any other combination of only UK identities | 1.4 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.4%
0.7% |
| Non-UK identity only | 18.7 | 22.2 | 6.9 | 9.0 | 8.2 | 10.0 | 18.7%
22.2% |
| UK identity and non-UK identity | 1.5 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 1.5%
3.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Health in Luton
In 2021, 43.1% of Luton residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 40.3% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 37.1% 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 Luton residents describing their health as "very bad" was 1.5% (similar to 2011), while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 5.0% to 4.7%.
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 Luton increased by 2.8 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by self-reported health,
| Very good health | 40.3 | 43.1 | 45.8 | 47.9 | 45.0 | 47.5 | 40.3%
43.1% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good health | 37.1 | 36.0 | 35.8 | 35.0 | 34.8 | 34.2 | 37.1%
36.0% |
| Fair health | 16.0 | 14.8 | 13.5 | 12.5 | 14.2 | 13.0 | 16.0%
14.8% |
| Bad health | 5.0 | 4.7 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 5.0%
4.7% |
| Very bad health | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.6%
1.5% |
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
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What topic summary data for Census 2021 will be available and how to view them.
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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