/visualisations/censusareachanges/E08000009/

The population reached nearly 240,000

Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population of Trafford increased by 3.7%, from just under 226,600 in 2011 to around 235,100 in 2021.

The population here increased by a smaller percentage than the overall population of the North West (5.2%), and by a smaller percentage than the overall population of England (up 6.6% since the 2011 Census).

In 2021, Trafford was home to around 15.8 people per football pitch-sized piece of land, compared with 15.3 in 2011. This area was among the top 30% 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 lower in Trafford than across the North West

Percentage population change, Trafford and surrounding areas, 2011 Census to Census 2021
England ▲6.6% North West ▲5.2% Trafford ▲3.7%
-2-0.50.5+2+8+16%

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

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Median age in Trafford

Between the last two censuses, the average (median) age of Trafford increased by one year, from 39 to 40 years of age.

This area had a similar average (median) age to the North West as a whole in 2021 (40 years) and had a similar averaage (median) age to England (40 years).

The median age is the age of the person in the middle of the group, meaning that one half of the group is younger than that person and the other half is older.

The number of people aged 50 to 64 years rose by just over 4,600 (an increase of 11.3%), while the number of residents aged 4 years and under fell by just over 1,400 (9.4% decrease).

The share of residents aged between 50 and 64 years increased by 1.3 percentage points between 2011 and 2021

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Trafford_% 2021_Trafford_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Trafford Percentage in undefined
85 years and over 2.2 2.5 2.1 2.3 2.2 2.4 2.2%
2.5%
75 to 84 years 5.7 5.9 5.6 6.2 5.5 6.1 5.7%
5.9%
65 to 74 years 8.1 9.1 8.9 10.2 8.6 9.8 8.1%
9.1%
50 to 64 years 18.0 19.3 18.6 19.8 18.1 19.4 18.0%
19.3%
35 to 49 years 23.1 21.8 21.1 18.7 21.3 19.4 23.1%
21.8%
25 to 34 years 12.7 11.7 12.7 13.2 13.5 13.6 12.7%
11.7%
20 to 24 years 5.2 4.5 6.9 6.1 6.8 6.0 5.2%
4.5%
16 to 19 years 4.7 4.3 5.2 4.6 5.1 4.6 4.7%
4.3%
10 to 15 years 7.5 8.3 7.1 7.3 7.0 7.2 7.5%
8.3%
5 to 9 years 6.2 6.8 5.6 6.0 5.6 5.9 6.2%
6.8%
4 years and under 6.6 5.7 6.1 5.5 6.3 5.4 6.6%
5.7%

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

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Family in Trafford

The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children increased in Trafford, but fell across the North West.

In Trafford, the percentage of households including a couple with dependent children rose from 21.9% in 2011 to 23.6% in 2021. During the same period, the regional percentage fell from 18.4% to 18.0%.

The percentage of households including a couple without children in Trafford fell from 16.5% to 15.2%, while the percentage of households including a couple with only non-dependent children increased from 6.5% to 6.7%.

The percentage of households including a couple with dependent children in Trafford increased by 1.8 percentage points

Percentage of households by household composition,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Trafford_% 2021_Trafford_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Trafford Percentage in undefined
One-person household: Aged 66 years and over (Aged 65 years and over in 2011) 12.8 13.3 12.8 13.3 12.4 12.8 12.8%
13.3%
One-person household: Other 17.0 16.2 19.4 18.8 17.9 17.3 17.0%
16.2%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: No children 16.5 15.2 16.5 16.0 17.6 16.8 16.5%
15.2%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: With dependent children 21.9 23.6 18.4 18.0 19.3 18.9 21.9%
23.6%
Single-family household: Cohabiting-couple family: All children non-dependent 6.5 6.7 6.5 6.5 6.1 6.3 6.5%
6.7%
Single-family household: Lone-parent household 11.0 10.9 12.0 12.1 10.6 11.1 11.0%
10.9%
Other household types 14.3 14.2 14.3 15.2 16.1 16.9 14.3%
14.2%

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

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Trafford residents' country of birth

In the latest census, around 193,600 Trafford residents said they were born in England. This represented 82.4% of the local population. The figure has decreased from around 194,400 in 2011, which at the time represented 85.8% of Trafford's population.

India was the next most represented, with around 4,900 Trafford residents reporting this country of birth (2.1%). This figure was up from just over 2,800 in 2011, which at the time represented 1.2% of the population of Trafford.

The number of Trafford residents born in Pakistan rose from just under 2,700 in 2011 (1.2% of the local population) to just under 4,300 in 2021 (1.8%).

In 2021, 82.4% of Trafford residents reported their country of birth as England

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Trafford_% 2021_Trafford_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Trafford Percentage in undefined
England 85.8 82.4 89.0 85.7 83.5 80.3 85.8%
82.4%
India 1.2 2.1 0.7 0.8 1.3 1.6 1.2%
2.1%
Pakistan 1.2 1.8 1.1 1.7 0.9 1.1 1.2%
1.8%
Scotland 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.2 1.3 1.1 1.4%
1.3%
Ireland 1.6 1.2 0.7 0.5 0.7 0.6 1.6%
1.2%

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

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More adults never married or in a civil partnership

Of Trafford residents aged 16 years and over, 35.4% said they had never been married or in a civil partnership in 2021, up from 33.2% in 2011.

The increase in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over who had never been married or in a civil partnership was greater across the North West (3.8 percentage points, from 35.6% to 39.4%) than in Trafford (2.2 percentage points). 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 Trafford increased by 2.2 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Trafford_% 2021_Trafford_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Trafford Percentage in undefined
Never married and never registered a civil partnership 33.2 35.4 35.6 39.4 34.6 37.9 33.2%
35.4%
Married or in a registered civil partnership 48.8 48.2 45.0 42.7 46.8 44.7 48.8%
48.2%
Separated, but still legally married or still legally in a civil partnership 2.4 1.9 2.7 2.3 2.7 2.2 2.4%
1.9%
Divorced or civil partnership dissolved 8.5 8.3 9.3 9.1 9.0 9.1 8.5%
8.3%
Widowed or surviving civil partnership partner 7.1 6.2 7.5 6.5 6.9 6.1 7.1%
6.2%

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

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Rise in private renting

Of Trafford households, 15.3% rented privately in 2021, up from 12.7% in 2011.

In 2021, just over one in seven households (15.0%) lived in socially rented housing, compared with 16.4% in 2011. The percentage of Trafford households that owned their home (outright or with a mortgage or loan) decreased from 69.3% to 69.0%.

The increase in the percentage of privately-rented homes was greater across the North West (3.9 percentage points, from 15.4% to 19.2%) than in Trafford (2.6 percentage points). Across England, the percentage increased by 3.6 percentage points, from 16.8% to 20.5%.

Private renting in Trafford increased by 2.6 percentage points

Percentage of households by housing tenure,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Trafford_% 2021_Trafford_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Trafford Percentage in undefined
Owns outright or with a mortgage or loan 69.3 69.0 64.5 62.3 63.3 61.3 69.3%
69.0%
Shared ownership 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.7 0.8 1.0 0.6%
0.7%
Social rented 16.4 15.0 18.3 17.6 17.7 17.1 16.4%
15.0%
Private rented 12.7 15.3 15.4 19.2 16.8 20.5 12.7%
15.3%
Lives rent free 1.0 0.1 1.3 0.1 1.3 0.1 1.0%
0.1%

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

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Unpaid care in Trafford

In 2021, 4.6% of Trafford 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, just under 1 in 50 people (1.7%) reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 1.5% in 2011. The proportion of Trafford residents (aged five years and over) that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care decreased from 2.5% to 2.4%.

The decrease in the proportion of people (aged five years and over) providing up to 19 hours of weekly unpaid care in Trafford (3.0 percentage points) was similar to the decrease across the North West (2.7 percentage points, from 7.2% 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 Trafford 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,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Trafford_% 2021_Trafford_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Trafford Percentage in undefined
Does not provide weekly unpaid care 88.5 91.3 87.9 90.3 88.7 91.1 88.5%
91.3%
Up to 19 hours of unpaid care 7.6 4.6 7.2 4.5 7.2 4.4 7.6%
4.6%
20 to 49 hours of unpaid care 1.5 1.7 1.7 2.1 1.5 1.8 1.5%
1.7%
50 or more hours of unpaid care 2.5 2.4 3.2 3.1 2.7 2.7 2.5%
2.4%

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

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Ethnic groups in Trafford

In 2021, 12.6% of Trafford residents identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category, up from 7.9% in 2011. The 4.7 percentage-point change was the largest increase among high-level ethnic groups in this area.

Across the North West, the percentage of people from the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" ethnic group increased from 6.2% to 8.4%, while across England the percentage increased from 7.8% to 9.6%.

In 2021, 77.8% of people in Trafford identified their ethnic group within the "White" category (compared with 85.5% in 2011), while 3.8% identified their ethnic group within the "Mixed or Multiple" category (compared with 2.7% 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 2.9% in 2011 to 3.4% 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, 12.6% of usual residents in Trafford identified their ethnic group within the "Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh" category

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Trafford_% 2021_Trafford_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Trafford Percentage in undefined
Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh 7.9 12.6 6.2 8.4 7.8 9.6 7.9%
12.6%
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African 2.9 3.4 1.4 2.3 3.5 4.2 2.9%
3.4%
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups 2.7 3.8 1.6 2.2 2.3 3.0 2.7%
3.8%
White 85.5 77.8 90.2 85.6 85.4 81.0 85.5%
77.8%
Other ethnic groups 1.0 2.5 0.6 1.5 1.0 2.2 1.0%
2.5%

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

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Religion in Trafford

In 2021, 33.1% of Trafford residents reported having "No religion", up from 21.2% in 2011. The rise of 12.0 percentage points was the largest increase of all broad religious groups in Trafford. 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 West, the percentage of residents who described themselves as having "No religion" increased from 19.8% to 32.6%, while across England the percentage increased from 24.8% to 36.7%.

In 2021, 48.4% of people in Trafford described themselves as Christian (down from 63.4%), while 8.7% described themselves as Muslim (up from 5.7% 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, 33.1% of usual residents in Trafford reported having "No religion"

Percentage of usual residents by religion,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Trafford_% 2021_Trafford_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Trafford Percentage in undefined
No religion 21.2 33.1 19.8 32.6 24.8 36.7 21.2%
33.1%
Christian 63.4 48.4 67.3 52.5 59.4 46.3 63.4%
48.4%
Buddhist 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.3%
0.4%
Hindu 1.0 2.0 0.5 0.7 1.5 1.8 1.0%
2.0%
Jewish 1.1 1.0 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 1.1%
1.0%
Muslim 5.7 8.7 5.1 7.6 5.0 6.7 5.7%
8.7%
Sikh 0.7 0.8 0.1 0.2 0.8 0.9 0.7%
0.8%
Other 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.2%
0.4%
Not answered 6.3 5.1 6.2 5.3 7.1 6.0 6.3%
5.1%

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

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Disability in Trafford

The increase in the age-standardised proportion of non-disabled residents was greater in nearby Manchester (4.2 percentage points) than in Trafford (2.1 percentage points).

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 Trafford, the proportion of non-disabled residents increased from 81.3% in 2011 to 83.4% in 2021. During the same period, the proportion in nearby Manchester increased from 73.5% to 77.7%.

The percentage of people who were identified as being disabled and limited a lot in Trafford fell from 8.8% to 7.0%, while the percentage of people who were identified as being disabled and limited a little decreased from 9.9% to 9.6%.

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 non-disabled residents in Trafford increased by 2.1 percentage points

Age-standardised proportion of usual residents by long-term health condition or illness,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Trafford_% 2021_Trafford_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Trafford Percentage in undefined
Disabled and limited a lot 8.8 7.0 11.2 9.1 9.1 7.5 8.8%
7.0%
Disabled and limited a little 9.9 9.6 10.7 10.7 10.2 10.2 9.9%
9.6%
Not disabled 81.3 83.4 78.1 80.2 80.7 82.3 81.3%
83.4%

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

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National identity in Trafford

In 2021, 7.5% of Trafford residents did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK. This figure increased from 6.1% in 2011.

In 2021, just under 1 in 40 people (2.3%) identified with a UK and non-UK national identity, compared with 0.8% in 2011. The percentage of residents in Trafford that identified as "British only" increased from 20.8% to 62.1%.

The increase in the percentage of people who did not identify with any national identity associated with the UK was greater across the North West (2.3 percentage points, from 4.7% to 7.1%) than in Trafford (1.4 percentage points). 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 Trafford increased by 1.4 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Trafford_% 2021_Trafford_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Trafford Percentage in undefined
British only identity 20.8 62.1 16.9 58.9 19.2 56.8 20.8%
62.1%
Welsh only identity 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.3 0.5%
0.3%
Welsh and British only identity 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1%
0.2%
English only identity 60.2 13.0 65.9 15.0 60.4 15.3 60.2%
13.0%
English and British only identity 9.8 13.4 9.9 16.1 9.1 14.3 9.8%
13.4%
Any other combination of only UK identities 1.7 1.2 1.5 1.1 1.6 1.1 1.7%
1.2%
Non-UK identity only 6.1 7.5 4.7 7.1 8.2 10.0 6.1%
7.5%
UK identity and non-UK identity 0.8 2.3 0.5 1.3 0.9 2.0 0.8%
2.3%

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

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Change in employment

Of Trafford residents aged 16 years and over, 58.6% said they were employed (excluding full-time students) in 2021, down from 59.4% in 2011.

In 2021, just over 1 in 40 people (2.6%) said they were unemployed, compared with 3.4% in 2011. The percentage of retired Trafford residents increased from 21.2% to 21.5%.

This area had the region’s highest percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed. South Ribble had the North West's next highest percentage of people aged 16 years and over (excluding full-time students) who were employed (58.3%), while Liverpool had the region's lowest percentage (48.2%).

Census 2021 took place during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a period of rapid and unparalleled change; the national lockdown, associated guidance and furlough measures will have affected the labour market and our ability to measure it.

The percentage of people aged 16 years and over who were employed (excluding full-time students) in Trafford decreased by 0.8 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Trafford_% 2021_Trafford_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Trafford Percentage in undefined
Economically active (excluding full-time students): In employment 59.4 58.6 54.2 53.7 56.5 55.7 59.4%
58.6%
Economically active (excluding full-time students): Unemployed 3.4 2.6 4.2 2.8 4.0 2.9 3.4%
2.6%
Economically active and a full-time student: In employment 2.2 1.3 2.4 1.7 2.4 1.7 2.2%
1.3%
Economically active and a full-time student: Unemployed 0.6 0.4 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6%
0.4%
Economically inactive: Retired 21.2 21.5 22.2 22.2 21.2 21.5 21.2%
21.5%
Economically inactive: Student 4.0 4.9 5.1 5.6 5.3 5.6 4.0%
4.9%
Economically inactive: Looking after home or family 3.6 4.3 3.6 4.7 4.0 4.8 3.6%
4.3%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or disabled 3.8 3.7 5.3 5.3 3.8 4.1 3.8%
3.7%
Economically inactive: Other 1.8 2.7 2.2 3.3 2.2 3.1 1.8%
2.7%

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

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Change in work hours

In 2021, 9.6% of Trafford residents aged 16 years and over and in employment said they worked 15 hours or less per week. This figure increased from 9.0% in 2011.

In 2021, just under 1 in 10 people (9.9%) said they worked over 49 hours per week, compared with 11.9% in 2011. The percentage of adults in employment working 31 to 48 hours per week increased from 60.0% to 61.7%.

The increase in the percentage of people aged 16 years and over and in employment who said they usually worked 15 hours or less per week in Trafford (0.5 percentage points) was similar to the increase across the North West (0.5 percentage points, from 9.1% to 9.6%). Across England, the percentage increased by 0.6 percentage points, from 9.7% to 10.3%.

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

The percentage of adults who worked 15 hours or less in Trafford increased 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,
0%
2011
2021


comparisons
Classification 2011_Trafford_% 2021_Trafford_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Trafford Percentage in undefined
15 hours or less worked 9.0 9.6 9.1 9.6 9.7 10.3 9.0%
9.6%
16 to 30 hours worked 19.0 18.8 20.8 20.3 19.5 19.5 19.0%
18.8%
31 to 48 hours worked 60.0 61.7 59.2 61.0 57.5 59.1 60.0%
61.7%
49 or more hours worked 11.9 9.9 10.9 9.1 13.3 11.1 11.9%
9.9%

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

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Health in Trafford

In 2021, 51.5% of Trafford residents described their health as "very good", increasing from 48.5% in 2011. Those describing their health as "good" fell from 32.5% to 31.8%. 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 Trafford residents describing their health as "very bad" was 1.1% (similar to 2011), while those describing their health as "bad" fell from 4.5% to 3.7%.

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 Trafford increased by 3.0 percentage points

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


comparisons
Classification 2011_Trafford_% 2021_Trafford_% 2011_North West_% 2021_North West_% 2011_England_%2021_England_% Percentage in Trafford Percentage in undefined
Very good health 48.5 51.5 44.4 46.8 45.0 47.5 48.5%
51.5%
Good health 32.5 31.8 33.3 33.2 34.8 34.2 32.5%
31.8%
Fair health 13.3 11.8 15.0 13.7 14.2 13.0 13.3%
11.8%
Bad health 4.5 3.7 5.7 4.9 4.6 4.1 4.5%
3.7%
Very bad health 1.2 1.1 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.2 1.2%
1.1%

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

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About the data

Census data are adjusted to reflect estimated non-response so that the published results relate to the entire usually resident population as it was on Census Day (21 March 2021).

Those respondents who were on furlough because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic were asked to classify themselves as "temporarily away from work" to ensure they remained in the economically active population.

Students are counted as usually resident at their term-time address even if they were not physically present there on Census Day.

The questions relating to disability differed slightly between 2011 and 2021 to ensure that data were more closely aligned with the definition of disability in the Equality Act (2010). There was also a change to question wording for unpaid care, for more information read the health, disability and unpaid care quality information.

Age-standardised proportions are used throughout the health, disability and unpaid care sections. They allow for fairer comparisons between populations over time and across geographies, as they account for differences in the population size and age structure. The 2013 European Standard Population is used to standardise proportions.

Percentages and percentage point changes have been individually rounded to one decimal place. This means they may not sum exactly.

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About these articles

There is an article like this for every local authority district in England and Wales. The articles have been written and semi-automated by our data journalists and are a new publishing format for the Office for National Statistics.

Topics are chosen and ordered automatically based on how relevant they are for each area, however all data are checked before publishing.

We have not included topics that were new for Census 2021 or where there is no comparability with the 2011 Census. Read about how we developed and tested the questions for Census 2021.

These articles were first published on 8 December 2022 covering topics such as demography, country of birth, ethnic groups, religion, national identity and economic activity status. They were updated on 19 January 2023 following the release of more data from Census 2021 and now include housing tenure, general health, disability and unpaid care.

All versions of this article

Related links

Census 2021 topic summaries

Supporting information | Released 2 November 2022

What topic summary data for Census 2021 will be available and how to view them.

Census maps

Interactive tool | Released 8 December 2022

Use our interactive map to find out what people’s lives are like across England and Wales.

How well do you know your area?

Digital Content Article | Released 2 December 2022

Test your knowledge of where you live with our Census quiz.

Contact

census.customerservices@ons.gov.uk

Telephone: +44 1329 44 4972

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