Lancashire's population

 
Summary 

The 2011 Census usual resident population figure for Lancashire-14 area was 1,460,900. This represented an increase of 46,200 people or a population growth rate of 3.3% since the last census in 2001. That was well below the England and Wales increase of 7.8%.

The usual resident population of the county council area was 1,171,300, an increase of 36,300 people or a population growth rate of 3.2%.

Within the Lancashire-12 area, the districts of Preston and Lancaster had the largest usual resident populations of 140,200 and 138,400 respectively. Preston recorded the largest numerical increase in usual residents of more than 10,000 people since the last census. It also had by far the greatest growth rate within the county of 8%, which is greater than the England and Wales rate. Chorley also had an increase of almost 7%.

In Burnley the usual resident population had fallen since the 2001 Census by 2,500 people or almost 3%. The 2011 Census estimate was 87,000 usual residents. This is not so great a decrease as had been given by the most recent mid-year population estimate in year 2010 when the population was given as 85,300. 

The population in Hyndburn had remained almost static in the decade to year 2011. The 2011 Census population was 80,700, which was 800 people fewer than in year 2001. Similarly in Pendle there had been very little change. The 2011 Census population was 89,500, up just 250 people since 2001.

In Ribble Valley and South Ribble the population grew by 5.8% and 5% respectively, between years 2001 and 2011. In Rossendale and Fylde the population increase was lower, at 3.6% and 3.5%. Finally, in West Lancashire and Wyre the population increase was around 2%.

In Blackpool the 2011 Census usual resident population was 142,100, a decrease of around 200 people on year 2001. However in Blackburn with Darwen there had been an increase of over 10,000 people and the 2011 Census population numbered 147,500. The authority's population growth rate since the last census was 7.3%, almost on a par with the England and Wales rate. The most recent population estimates for mid-year 2010 had under-estimated the Blackburn with Darwen population by about 7,500 people.  

In comparison with the England and Wales average, Lancashire-14 reveals a slight bias towards higher proportions of people in the two oldest broad age groups of 45-64 year-olds and 65+. It is in the 25-44 middle working age group where there is a smaller proportion than the England and Wales average. Additionally within Lancashire-12, there was a slight under-representation of the 0-14 year-olds compared to nationally.   

The non-UK short-term resident population in Lancashire-14 was 3,600. Most of these short-term residents (3,400 people) were within Lancashire-12. By far the greatest numbers were in Preston (1,700) and Lancaster (1,000).

The number of households in the Lancashire-14 area was 618,000. This is an increase of 5% since the previous census. This compares to a national increase of almost 8%. In Lancashire-12, the number of households was 496,300, an increase of almost 6%. There has been a particularly high increase in households in Chorley, most likely attributable to the Buckshaw development.

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Page updated July 2012