Banbury area has seen a large population increase over the last decade, according to latest census figures

The Cherwell district has seen a large population increase over the last decade.

This is according to the latest census data which have just been released.

The census takes place every 10 years, with every household in the UK required to take part.

The latest snapshot of England and Wales was captured on March 21 2021.

Now the first results have been released – and there’s been a large rise in the number of people living in the Cherwell district, which covers Banbury.

On census day, 161,000 people were living in the area – up 13 per cent from 141,868 in 2011, when the last census was carried out.

This also means the population density has grown to 273 usual residents per square kilometre, up from 241 in 2011.

This is the 22nd highest increase in the country.

The census is crucial for the UK’s statisticians to understand how our population is changing, and plays a vital role in how our public services and government operate.

It shows the balance of men and women in the area has roughly stayed the same. Cherwell’s population is now 49.6 per cent male and 50.4 per cent female. In 2011, people living in Cherwell were 49.4 per cent male and 50.6 per cent female.

It also shows the area is aging – a decade ago the population was made up of 12.8 per cent under-10s and 15.3 per cent over-65s, but this had changed to 11.7 per cent and 17.5 per cent respectively by 2021.

Across England and Wales, the total population grew 6.3 per cent over the past decade, from 56,075,912 in 2011 to 59,597,300 last year.

This included a 7.5% increase in the South East, where the population rose to 9,278,100 from 8,634,750 in 2011.

There were 24.8 million households in England and Wales on census day 2021, up from 23.4 million in 2011, with an average of 2.4 people in each household – the same as in 2011.

Historic populations of the Cherwell district:

1981: 106,051

1991: 117,832

2001: 131,787

2011: 141,868

2021: 161,000