Census 2021: Ashfield population grows by 6% and nearly a fifth of residents are aged 65 and over

The population of the district of Ashfield, which includes the town of Hucknall, has grown by 5.69 per cent, census data has revealed.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today published the first set of data from last year's census.

It shows that there are 126,300 people living in Ashfield, an increase of just under 7000 people. This fits with the national picture which saw the population of England and Wales rise to 59.6 million people, the highest it has ever been.

The percentage increase of Ashfield's population is slightly lower than the national growth rate of 6.3 per cent.

The national survey, which takes place every ten years asks households to answer basic questions about their living arrangements and lifestyle. The results are then used to shape local and national decision making and funding on issues such as planning, education and transport.

Last year's census was carried out on Sunday 21 March 2021.

The data also revealed that Ashfield is home to an ageing population. Almost a fifth of residents (19.6 per cent) are aged 65 or over which is a huge increase from the last census which saw just 16.9 per cent of the district's population in that age category.

It is also noticeably higher than the national picture which showed 18.6 per cent in that age category.

A more detailed breakdown of the data will be published later this year. This will give specific information about the population in each town of the Ashfield district such as Hucknall which will give a clearer understanding of the age demographic and number of people living in the town.

National Results

Across the nation the population has increased by 3.5 million people since 2011 - a 6.3 per cent increase.

But that signals a slower rate of growth, with the last census showing a record 7.1 per cent increase from 2001.

The results published today also show that 18.6 per cent of the population is now aged 65 years and over - the highest recorded proportion for England and Wales.

ONS figures also show that 51.0 per cent of the population of England and Wales is female which is a slight rise from 50.8 in 2011.

A record 89 per cent of responses to the census were completed online - with 20 million households surveyed in total.

Added to census figures for Northern Ireland and a 2020 estimate of the Scottish population, there are now 66,966,400 people in the UK.

Population 1801 to 2021, England and Wales: