Disability and general health, Census 2021

Introduction

This article uses statistics that were published as part of the Phase 1 - Census 2021 topic summaries. These are estimates based on information submitted by householders and other respondents on Census Day 2021, which was on 21st March.

Key points

• 19.3% (238,983) of the Lancashire-12 area's residents were classed as disabled (England = 17.3%)
• 18.5% of Blackburn with Darwen and 25.1% of Blackpool residents were classed as disabled
• 8.5% (105,374) of the Lancashire-12 area residents reported their daily activities to be restricted 'a lot' by illness.
• 9.1% of Blackburn with Darwen residents and 12.3% of Blackpool residents reported their daily activities to be restricted 'a lot' by illness
• Across the Lancashire-14 area, Ribble Valley had the lowest percentage (6.0%) of residents reporting their daily activities to be restricted 'a lot' by illness
• 47.1 % (581,243) of the Lancashire-12 area's usual residents described their general health as 'very good' (England = 48.5%) 
• In the Lancashire-14 area 79.9% of the usual resident population were in 'good' or 'very good' health (Blackburn with Darwen = 80.1%, Blackpool = 73.9)

In previous censuses the equivalent table referred to limiting long-term illness. The categories 'daily activities limited a little' or 'daily activities limited a lot' are also used in the Census 2021 table on disability, but it is made more clear that these mean that the person is disabled. Someone who has a long-term illness which does not limit their daily activities is not regarded as disabled.

In Census 2021 ONS has made age standardised proportions versions of the disability and general health statistics available. These make comparisons between geographical areas and different points in time more reliable.

See the ONS web pages showing changes 2011 to 2021. This is for lower tier local authorities, counties are not included. Our 2011 Census article on limiting long-term illness and health can be found here.

Interactive report

In the two tables that show age standardised proportions, the values can be sorted by clicking the column headers. In the ward maps a pie chart showing all values for a particular ward can be revealed by moving the cursor over the wards in the map.

Source: NOMIS: Census 2021: Table c2021ts038 Disability, Census 2021: Table c2021ts038asp Disability ASP, Census 2021: Table c2021ts037 General Health, Census 2021: Table c2021ts037asp General Health ASP