The population passed 110,000
Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of West Oxfordshire increased by 9.0%, from just under 104,800 in 2011 to around 114,200 in 2021.
The population here increased by a greater percentage than the overall population of the South East (7.5%), and by a greater percentage than the overall population of England (up 6.6% since the 2011 Census).
In 2021, West Oxfordshire was home to around 1.1 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 1.0 in 2011. This area was the joint least densely populated local authority area across the South 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 West Oxfordshire than across the South East
Percentage population change, West Oxfordshire and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% South East ▲7.5% West Oxfordshire ▲9.0%| -2 | -0.5 | 0.5 | +2 | +8 | +16% |
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An older West Oxfordshire
Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of West Oxfordshire increased by two years, from 42 to 44 years of age.
This area had a higher average (median) age than the South East as a whole in 2021 (41 years) and a 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 50 to 64 years rose by around 3,700 (an increase of 18.3%), while the number of residents between 35 and 49 years fell by just over 2,000 (8.7% decrease).
The share of residents aged between 50 and 64 years increased by 1.7 percentage points between 2011 and 2021
Percentage of usual residents
by age group,
| 85 years and over | 2.6 | 3.2 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.6%
3.2% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 to 84 years | 6.1 | 7.4 | 5.8 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 6.1%
7.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 9.7 | 11.1 | 8.8 | 10.2 | 8.6 | 9.8 | 9.7%
11.1% |
| 50 to 64 years | 19.4 | 21.1 | 18.5 | 19.8 | 18.1 | 19.4 | 19.4%
21.1% |
| 35 to 49 years | 22.4 | 18.8 | 21.7 | 19.7 | 21.3 | 19.4 | 22.4%
18.8% |
| 25 to 34 years | 11.6 | 12.0 | 12.4 | 12.4 | 13.5 | 13.6 | 11.6%
12.0% |
| 20 to 24 years | 5.1 | 4.7 | 6.2 | 5.6 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 5.1%
4.7% |
| 16 to 19 years | 4.5 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 4.5%
4.0% |
| 10 to 15 years | 7.0 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.0%
7.1% |
| 5 to 9 years | 5.5 | 5.8 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 5.5%
5.8% |
| 4 years and under | 6.1 | 5.0 | 6.2 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 6.1%
5.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
West Oxfordshire stood out from other areas for housing
The percentage of households in the social rented sector increased in West Oxfordshire, but fell across England.
In West Oxfordshire, the percentage of households in the social rented sector rose from 12.5% in 2011 to 13.3% in 2021, while across England it fell from 17.7% to 17.1%. During the same period, the regional percentage fell from 13.7% to 13.6%.
Private renting in West Oxfordshire increased from 14.9% to 17.9%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 69.7% to 66.8%.
The rate of social renting in West Oxfordshire increased by 0.8 percentage points
Percentage of households
by housing tenure,
| Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan | 69.7 | 66.8 | 67.6 | 65.7 | 63.3 | 61.3 | 69.7%
66.8% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared ownership | 1.3 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.3%
2.1% |
| Social rented | 12.5 | 13.3 | 13.7 | 13.6 | 17.7 | 17.1 | 12.5%
13.3% |
| Private rented | 14.9 | 17.9 | 16.3 | 19.2 | 16.8 | 20.5 | 14.9%
17.9% |
| Lives rent free | 1.7 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.7%
0.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Change in employment
West Oxfordshire saw the South East's largest percentage-point fall in the proportion of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed (from 65.1% in 2011 to 61.7% in 2021).
West Berkshire saw the South East's next largest decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed (from 65.0% in 2011 to 61.7% in 2021).
Despite the decrease, West Oxfordshire was in the highest 10% of English local authority areas for the share of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed in 2021.
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 West Oxfordshire decreased by 3.4 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by economic activity status,
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment | 65.1 | 61.7 | 59.0 | 57.6 | 56.5 | 55.7 | 65.1%
61.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed | 2.0 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 2.9 | 2.0%
1.8% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: In employment | 1.8 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 1.8%
1.1% |
| Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.3%
0.3% |
| Economically inactive: Retired | 21.9 | 24.0 | 21.8 | 22.5 | 21.2 | 21.5 | 21.9%
24.0% |
| Economically inactive: Student | 2.7 | 3.2 | 4.7 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 2.7%
3.2% |
| Economically inactive: Looking after home or family | 3.1 | 3.7 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 3.1%
3.7% |
| Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled | 1.7 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 1.7%
2.2% |
| Economically inactive: Other | 1.3 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 3.1 | 1.3%
2.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Fewer adults working long hours
In 2021, 12.4% of West Oxfordshire residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked over 49 hours per week. This figure decreased from 15.7% in 2011.
In 2021, just under one in nine people (10.6%) said they worked 15 hours or less per week, compared with 9.9% in 2011. The percentage of adults in employment working 31 to 48 hours per week increased from 57.0% to 59.0%.
The decrease in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked over 49 hours per week was greater in West Oxfordshire (3.3 percentage points) than across the South East (2.7 percentage points, from 14.6% to 11.9%). Across England, the percentage fell by 2.2 percentage points, from 13.3% to 11.1%.
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 West Oxfordshire decreased by 3.3 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 | 9.9 | 10.6 | 10.4 | 11.0 | 9.7 | 10.3 | 9.9%
10.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 to 30 hours worked | 17.3 | 18.0 | 18.4 | 18.6 | 19.5 | 19.5 | 17.3%
18.0% |
| 31 to 48 hours worked | 57.0 | 59.0 | 56.6 | 58.6 | 57.5 | 59.1 | 57.0%
59.0% |
| 49 or more hours worked | 15.7 | 12.4 | 14.6 | 11.9 | 13.3 | 11.1 | 15.7%
12.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Unpaid care in West Oxfordshire
In 2021, 4.6% of West Oxfordshire residents (aged five years and over) reported providing up to 19 hours of unpaid care each week. This figure decreased from 7.6% in 2011. These are age-standardised proportions.
Age-standardised proportions are used throughout this section. They enable comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure.
In 2021, 1.4% of residents (aged five years and over) reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 1.1% in 2011. The proportion of West Oxfordshire residents (aged five years and over) that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.8% to 2.1%.
The decrease in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care in West Oxfordshire (3.0 percentage points) was similar to the decrease across the South East (2.8 percentage points, from 7.3% to 4.5%). Across England, the proportion fell by 2.8 percentage points, from 7.2% to 4.4%.
Census 2021 was undertaken during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This may have influenced how people perceived and managed their provision of unpaid care, and therefore may have affected how people chose to respond.
Caution should be taken when making comparisons between 2011 and 2021 because of changes in question wording and response options.
The percentage of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care in West Oxfordshire decreased by 3.0 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 | 89.5 | 91.9 | 89.3 | 91.6 | 88.7 | 91.1 | 89.5%
91.9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 19 hours of unpaid care | 7.6 | 4.6 | 7.3 | 4.5 | 7.2 | 4.4 | 7.6%
4.6% |
| 20 to 49 hours of unpaid care | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.1%
1.4% |
| 50 or more hours of unpaid care | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 1.8%
2.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Religion in West Oxfordshire
In 2021, 40.6% of West Oxfordshire residents reported having "No religion", up from 25.9% in 2011. The rise of 14.7 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in West Oxfordshire. 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 South East, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 27.7% to 40.2%, while across England the percentage increased from 24.8% to 36.7%.
In 2021, 51.5% of people in West Oxfordshire described themselves as Christian (down from 65.4%), while 5.9% did not state their religion (down from 7.2% 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, 40.6% of usual residents in West Oxfordshire reported having "No religion"
Percentage of usual residents
by religion,
| No religion | 25.9 | 40.6 | 27.7 | 40.2 | 24.8 | 36.7 | 25.9%
40.6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian | 65.4 | 51.5 | 59.8 | 46.5 | 59.4 | 46.3 | 65.4%
51.5% |
| Buddhist | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.3%
0.4% |
| Hindu | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.2%
0.2% |
| Jewish | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2%
0.2% |
| Muslim | 0.4 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 5.0 | 6.7 | 0.4%
0.7% |
| Sikh | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.0%
0.1% |
| Other | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.4%
0.5% |
| Not answered | 7.2 | 5.9 | 7.4 | 6.1 | 7.1 | 6.0 | 7.2%
5.9% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
National identity in West Oxfordshire
The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK was greater in nearby Cherwell (3.7 percentage points) than in West Oxfordshire (1.3 percentage points).
In West Oxfordshire, the percentage of people who did not identify with at least one UK national identity increased from 4.3% in 2011 to 5.6% in 2021. During the same period, the percentage in nearby Cherwell increased from 7.2% to 11.0%.
The percentage of people who identified with a UK and non-UK national identity in West Oxfordshire increased from 0.8% to 2.0%, while the percentage of people who identified as "British only" increased from 17.2% to 57.2%.
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 West Oxfordshire increased by 1.3 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents
by national identity,
| British only identity | 17.2 | 57.2 | 17.9 | 56.7 | 19.2 | 56.8 | 17.2%
57.2% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welsh only identity | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 1.1%
0.7% |
| Welsh and British only identity | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2%
0.3% |
| English only identity | 63.3 | 17.1 | 61.8 | 16.2 | 60.4 | 15.3 | 63.3%
17.1% |
| English and British only identity | 10.9 | 15.7 | 9.9 | 14.6 | 9.1 | 14.3 | 10.9%
15.7% |
| Any other combination of only UK identities | 2.2 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2.2%
1.5% |
| Non-UK identity only | 4.3 | 5.6 | 7.1 | 8.7 | 8.2 | 10.0 | 4.3%
5.6% |
| UK identity and non-UK identity | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 0.8%
2.0% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
West Oxfordshire residents' country of birth
In the latest census, around 97,600 West Oxfordshire residents said they were born in England. This represented 85.4% of the local population. The figure has risen from around 91,600 in 2011, which at the time represented 87.5% of West Oxfordshire's population.
Scotland was the next most represented, with just under 2,100 West Oxfordshire residents reporting this country of birth (1.8%). This figure was down from just under 2,200 in 2011, which at the time represented 2.1% of the population of West Oxfordshire.
The number of West Oxfordshire residents born in Wales remained close to 1,900 between the last two census (from 1.9% of the local population in 2011 to 1.7% in 2021)
In 2021, 85.4% of West Oxfordshire residents reported their country of birth as England
Percentage of usual residents
by country of birth,
| England | 87.5 | 85.4 | 84.8 | 81.7 | 83.5 | 80.3 | 87.5%
85.4% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | 2.1 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 2.1%
1.8% |
| Wales | 1.9 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 1.9%
1.7% |
| Poland | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.7%
1.0% |
| Countries that joined the EU between April 2001 and March 2011 (other than Poland, Croatia, Lithuania and Romania) | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.5%
0.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
Notes:
- This chart shows the five most common countries of birth in West Oxfordshire in 2021
- Please see the data dictionary for further detail on country of birth groupings
| |
Health in West Oxfordshire
In 2021, 52.2% of West Oxfordshire residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 50.9% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 34.2% to 33.9%. 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 West Oxfordshire residents describing their health as "very bad" remained 0.7%, while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 2.9% to 2.6%.
These data reflect people’s own opinions in describing their overall health on a five point scale, from very good to very bad.
Census 2021 was conducted during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This may have influenced how people perceived and rated their health, and therefore may have affected how people chose to respond.
In 2021, 0.7% of usual residents said their health was very bad in West Oxfordshire
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by self-reported health,
| Very good health | 50.9 | 52.2 | 47.5 | 49.6 | 45.0 | 47.5 | 50.9%
52.2% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good health | 34.2 | 33.9 | 35.3 | 34.4 | 34.8 | 34.2 | 34.2%
33.9% |
| Fair health | 11.4 | 10.6 | 12.7 | 11.8 | 14.2 | 13.0 | 11.4%
10.6% |
| Bad health | 2.9 | 2.6 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 2.9%
2.6% |
| Very bad health | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.7%
0.7% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Fewer couples without children
Of West Oxfordshire households, 19.4% included a couple but no children in 2021, down from 21.6% in 2011.
In 2021, just over one in five households (20.7%) included a couple with dependent children, compared with 22.4% in 2011. The percentage of single family households including a couple living with only non-dependent children increased from 6.3% to 6.8%.
The decrease in the percentage of households including a couple but no children was greater in West Oxfordshire (2.2 percentage points) than across the South East (1.4 percentage points, from 18.7% to 17.4%). Across England, the percentage fell by 0.9 percentage points, from 17.6% to 16.8%.
The percentage of households including a couple without children in West Oxfordshire decreased by 2.2 percentage points
Percentage of households
by household composition,
| One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) | 12.3 | 13.7 | 12.7 | 13.2 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 12.3%
13.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-person household: Other | 14.1 | 13.8 | 16.1 | 15.2 | 17.9 | 17.3 | 14.1%
13.8% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children | 21.6 | 19.4 | 18.7 | 17.4 | 17.6 | 16.8 | 21.6%
19.4% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children | 22.4 | 20.7 | 21.0 | 20.6 | 19.3 | 18.9 | 22.4%
20.7% |
| Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent | 6.3 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.3%
6.8% |
| Single-family household: Lone-parent household | 7.7 | 8.6 | 9.2 | 9.7 | 10.6 | 11.1 | 7.7%
8.6% |
| Other household types | 15.6 | 17.1 | 16.3 | 17.4 | 16.1 | 16.9 | 15.6%
17.1% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
More adults never married or in a civil partnership
Of West Oxfordshire residents aged 16 years and over, 31.2% said they had never been married or in a civil partnership in 2021, up from 27.8% in 2011.
In 2021, just over one in two people (51.0%) said they were married or in a registered civil partnership, compared with 54.3% in 2011. The percentage of adults in West Oxfordshire that had divorced or dissolved a civil partnership increased from 9.1% to 9.4%.
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 West Oxfordshire (3.4 percentage points) than across the South East (2.9 percentage points, from 31.9% to 34.8%). Across England, the percentage increased by 3.3 percentage points, from 34.6% to 37.9%.
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 West Oxfordshire increased by 3.4 percentage points
Percentage of usual residents aged 16 years and over
by legal partnership status,
| Never married and never registered a civil partnership | 27.8 | 31.2 | 31.9 | 34.8 | 34.6 | 37.9 | 27.8%
31.2% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Married or in a registered civil partnership | 54.3 | 51.0 | 49.6 | 47.6 | 46.8 | 44.7 | 54.3%
51.0% |
| Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 2.1%
2.1% |
| Divorced or civil partnership dissolved | 9.1 | 9.4 | 9.1 | 9.3 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 9.1%
9.4% |
| Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner | 6.7 | 6.4 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 6.9 | 6.1 | 6.7%
6.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Disability in West Oxfordshire
In 2021, 5.1% of West Oxfordshire residents were identified as being disabled and limited a lot. This figure decreased from 6.0% 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 10 people (9.5%) were identified as being disabled and limited a little, compared with 8.7% in 2011. The proportion of West Oxfordshire residents who were not disabled increased from 85.3% to 85.4%.
The decrease in the proportion of residents who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot in West Oxfordshire (0.9 percentage points) was similar to the decrease across the South East (1.0 percentage points, from 7.2% to 6.2%). Across England, the proportion fell by 1.6 percentage points, from 9.1% to 7.5%.
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 West Oxfordshire decreased by 0.9 percentage points
Age-standardised proportion of usual residents
by long-term health condition or illness,
| Disabled and limited a lot | 6.0 | 5.1 | 7.2 | 6.2 | 9.1 | 7.5 | 6.0%
5.1% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled and limited a little | 8.7 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 9.9 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 8.7%
9.5% |
| Not disabled | 85.3 | 85.4 | 83.4 | 83.9 | 80.7 | 82.3 | 85.3%
85.4% |
Source: Office for National Statistics – 2011 Census and Census 2021
| |
Ethnic groups in West Oxfordshire
In 2021, 1.9% of West Oxfordshire residents identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category, up from 1.2% in 2011. The 0.7 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.
Across the South East, the percentage of people from "Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups" increased from 1.9% to 2.8%, while across England the percentage increased from 2.3% to 3.0%.
In 2021, 95.2% of people in West Oxfordshire identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 96.8% in 2011), while 1.7% identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category (compared with 1.4% the previous decade).
The percentage of people who identified their ethnic group within the "Other" category ("Arab" or "Any other ethnic group") increased from 0.2% in 2011 to 0.6% 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, 1.9% of usual residents in West Oxfordshire identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category
Percentage of usual residents
by ethnic group,
| Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh | 1.4 | 1.7 | 5.2 | 7.0 | 7.8 | 9.6 | 1.4%
1.7% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 0.4%
0.6% |
| Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups | 1.2 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 1.2%
1.9% |
| White | 96.8 | 95.2 | 90.7 | 86.3 | 85.4 | 81.0 | 96.8%
95.2% |
| Other ethnic groups | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.2%
0.6% |
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