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Population and Census

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An understanding of the characteristics of the population is key for the development of all public policy. This page contains estimates of the population in Wiltshire and will be updated regularly with information from the 2011 Census as this is released throughout 2012 and 2013. A report summarising the size of Wiltshire's ethnic population groups can be found on the Community section of this site.

Census 2011

The latest Census was carried out on March 27th 2011 and involved around 25 million households in England and Wales. The datasets resulting from the Census offer the most detailed and accurate picture of the population available. The Office for National Statistics began to release the Census 2011 data on 16 July 2012 and the results for Wiltshire are summarised in the first tab below.

Due to the breadth and depth of the Census data, the information will be released in four main stages throughout 2012 and 2013. The timeframe for this process is set out in the second tab below.

 

The Census 2011 data shows that the population of Wiltshire as at 27th March 2011 was 471,000. This is an increase of 38,000 people or 8.8% from the 2001 Census, a rate of growth that is the highest of any of the rural counties in the South West region.

The report below provides an overview of the key facts for Wiltshire revealed from this first release of data and the excel files contain the currently available Census 2011 data for our area.

First release - 16 July 2012: This initial data is available at local authority level and comprises estimates of the usually resident population by five year age and sex bands, as well as estimates of occupied households. This release also contains information on response rates and confidence intervals to allow local authorities to assess the quality of the Census 2011 data for their areas.  

Second release - November 2012 to February 2013: Key and Quick Statistics. This release will include information on single characteristics, such as ethnic group, religion, health and provision of unpaid care, at a range of small area geographies.

Third release - March to June 2013: Local Characteristics. This release will include information on multiple characteristics, such as age and sex by economic activity, at a range of small area geographies.

Fourth release - July to October 2013: Detailed Characteristics, Detailed Theme and Armed Forces. This release comprises detailed information on multiple characteristics, but for larger geographical areas to prevent the disclosure of personal information.

More details about the Census 2011 datasets and release prospectus can be found on the ONS website.  

For more informaiton about the Census in Wiltshire, please contact Philip.Morgan@Wiltshire.gov.uk or tel. 01225 713186.
 Wiltshire and Community Area Population Estimates and Projections 2001 to 2026: Trend-based

This document provides estimates of population in Wiltshire Unitary Authority and community areas of Wiltshire for 2001 and 2009. It also provides projections of these same elements for individual years from 2010 to 2016, 2021 and 2026. Figures are given for both key variables including age structures as well as components of change. The projections presented in this document are “trend-based”.

Wiltshire County, at mid-year 2010, had a projected total population of 458,890 people. The county's population is set to grow by 51,410 persons over the next 16 years to 2026, a projected increase of just over 11%. Low birth and death rates have continued in Wiltshire County and these low rates are projected to remain roughly equal and constant.

Wiltshire is a predominantly rural county with an average population density of 141 persons per square kilometre. Chippenham is Wiltshire’s most populous community area while Mere is Wiltshire’s least populous community area. The community area with the highest population density is Salisbury, where the community area is largely synonymous with the urban area, with 2,145 persons per square kilometre. For the rest of Wiltshire the highest, but more modest, population densities are found in the north and west community areas of Trowbridge, Bradford-on-Avon, Chippenham, Melksham, Corsham and Westbury. Salisbury apart, the southern area of the county has generally lower population densities, with the community areas of Mere, Pewsey, Wilton and Tisbury all having fewer than 55 persons per square kilometre.

There is a similar geographical split across Wiltshire for the difference between the percentage of the total population that are under 16 years of age, and the percentage of the population that are of retirement age. Community areas in the southern part of Wiltshire, excluding Salisbury, generally have a significantly 'older' age structure compared to community areas in the northern and western parts of the county.

The Wiltshire and Community Area Population Estimates and Projections 2001 to 2026: Trend-based report, as well as separate Excel files containing the population data tables for each area, can be accessed below.

Community Area Estimates and Projections 2001 to 2026: Trend-based

Population estimates and projections for Wiltshire parishes from 2001 to 2011 (created in 2006) can be accessed below. If you require community area information then please use figures from the above report and excel files. A revised parish population dataset is currently being produced and will be available soon.

Of the 51,410 person projected increase in Wiltshire's population over the next 16 years, only 10.6 % of this growth is projected to be within the sub-retirement aged population, meaning that this projected population increase will be almost entirely accounted for by our retirement aged population. Much of our retired population will live active and healthy lives, contributing to their communities for many years. However, for the very elderly, there may be barriers which prevent them from accessing services, whether these are through poor finances, health or lack of transport. With increasing numbers of pensioners living alone and in deteriorating health, there will be enormous pressure on public sector resources to care for older people in the future. Wiltshire Council is faced with a significant 'ageing population' problem.

Projections of the populations and needs of adults and older people in Wiltshire can be accessed through the Health and Wellbeing section of this site.

Whilst, to varying degrees, the military are present throughout much of Wiltshire, the army is particularly concentrated around the Salisbury Plain. With the planned departure of the RAF from Lyneham, and an increased army presence around the Plain in the form of a Super Garrison, the concentration of the armed forces as a whole around the Plain may become more marked. A report looking at the military changes in Wiltshire in detail can be accessed here.

The Census is a mandatory survey of the population distributed to all households in the country every 10 years. The results from the 2001 Census are available at a number of geographic levels and provide a snapshot of the population and households on the night of the 29th April 2001. This survey looked to obtain information on household type, tenure, size and facilities, whilst gathering information on the age, gender, occupation, religion, health and mode of travel of the residents in the household. The data assists national, regional and local government in identifying changes in population and social structure as well as forming the basis for future decision making. They are also used to help distribute government funds. The key statistics from the 2001 Census for Wiltshire County can be accessed below.  

Contact

 For more information, please contact:

01225 713186, or email research@wiltshire.gov.uk

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