Mid-year population estimates
Key points for the Lancashire-12 area (Lancashire-14 figures in Brackets)
- The population in mid-2023 was estimated to be 1,270,162 (1,570,373).
- The median age was 42.6.
- In the year to mid-2023, there were 3,143 (3,404) more deaths than births. This was a much greater difference than in 2022 when there were only 1,976 (2,087) more deaths.
- The population grew by 1.3% (1.22%) between mid-2022 and mid-2023.
- In the 12 months to mid-2023 the fastest growing local authority in the Lancashire-14 area was Preston and the slowest Rossendale. The population of Preston is only around 1,100 less than in Blackburn with Darwen and in future years may overtake the unitary authority as the most populous district in the Lancashire-14 area.
- The 65 and over age group saw a higher annual growth rate, 1.7% (1.5%), than the 0-15s group, 0.9% (1%) and the 16-64 group, 1.3% (1.2%).
- Areas with an above UK average median age recorded the largest reductions in population due to natural change. In Fylde and Wyre the median age was over 50, and in both areas deaths substantially exceeded births in the year to mid-2023 (659 and 903).
- Net internal migration varied from +2,670 in Wyre to -436 in Lancaster.
- Net international migration in the the year to mid-2023 was 9,348 (12,292), 3,964 in Preston and 70 in Ribble Valley (1,503 in Blackpool).
We have provided additional analysis in the Microsoft Power BI report which has been updated and replaced below. This version is now showing single year of age as well as the figures broken down by 5 year and labour market age bands.
Mid-year population estimates, 2023
| Area name | Females | Males | Persons |
| Burnley | 48,712 | 47,723 | 96,435 |
| Chorley | 59,798 | 59,554 | 119,352 |
| Fylde | 43,024 | 40,822 | 83,846 |
| Hyndburn | 42,531 | 41,730 | 84,261 |
| Lancaster | 73,993 | 71,566 | 145,559 |
| Pendle | 48,829 | 48,210 | 97,039 |
| Preston | 78,357 | 78,054 | 156,411 |
| Ribble Valley | 32,921 | 31,548 | 64,469 |
| Rossendale | 36,445 | 35,096 | 71,541 |
| South Ribble | 57,983 | 55,569 | 113,552 |
| West Lancashire | 62,849 | 57,854 | 120,703 |
| Wyre | 59,956 | 57,038 | 116,994 |
| Lancashire-12 area | 645,398 | 624,764 | 1,270,162 |
| Blackburn with Darwen | 79,308 | 78,195 | 157,503 |
| Blackpool | 71,878 | 70,830 | 142,708 |
| Lancashire-14 area | 796,584 | 773,789 | 1,570,373 |
| North West | 3,862,060 | 3,738,066 | 7,600,126 |
| England | 29,407,249 | 28,283,074 | 57,690,323 |
| England and Wales | 31,018,735 | 29,835,992 | 60,854,727 |
| United Kingdom | *67,736,802 |
Source: Office for National Statistics, mid-year populations for England and Wales, 2023
Page updated July 2024