Maps available for the theme: Population

  • Choose “United Kingdom” to see maps of modern administrative units that have extended time series
  • Or select a component nation for maps using original historical units
  • Then select a date from the grid to map that rate at that date for that administrative unit type
RATE Government Region District/Unitary Authority Modern (2024) Ward
Percentage aged under 15 1861 - 2021
1861 - 2021
1971 - 2021
Percentage aged 15-64 1861 - 2021
1861 - 2021
1971 - 2021
Percentage Aged over 65 1861 - 2021
1861 - 2021
1971 - 2021
Rate of Population Change (% over previous 10 years) 1811 - 2001
1811 - 2001
1981 - 2001
Population Density (Persons per Hectare) 1801 - 2021
1801 - 2021
1971 - 2021

We let you look at total population in two ways.

Firstly, population density: which areas had the most people? Density is calculated as the number of people per hectare, and we have measured areas from a modern digital map of the local authorities rather than relying on the doubtful acreages given in historical reports. Secondly, growth rates: where was population rising fastest, or declining? We also look at the ratio of men to women.

This theme also covers people's ages. From 1851 onwards, the census has provided very detailed statistics of age structure, giving numbers of males and of females in each 5-year age band. However, we simplify this here to three broad age groups: Children (0-14), Working Age (15-64) and the Elderly (over 65).

Over the last 150 years, our population has clearly aged. However, mortality decline in the late 19th century was mainly due to the reduction of very high infant mortality rates: the presence or absence of large number of infants dying before their first birthday had little effect on overall age structures. During the twentieth century, declining fertility and improved life expectancy in later life significantly changed age structures.

These selections from historical census reports are on the theme of Population.

CensusArea CoveredReport TitleSection Title
Intro Great Britain Guide to Census Reports: Great Britain 1801-1966 Selected Subjects: Ages
Intro Great Britain Guide to Census Reports: Great Britain 1801-1966 Selected Subjects: Usual Residence
1811 Great Britain Abstracts of the Answers and Returns: Preliminary Observations Increase of the Population
1821 Great Britain Abstracts of the Answers and Returns: Preliminary Observations Increase of the Population
1831 Great Britain Abstracts of the Answers and Returns: Enumeration. Increase of Population
1841 Great Britain Abstracts of the Answers and Returns: Enumeration. Part I England and Wales with Index to Names of Places at end of each part. Ages and Birth-Places
1841 Great Britain Abstracts of the Answers and Returns: Enumeration. Part I England and Wales with Index to Names of Places at end of each part. Age Abstract
1841 Great Britain Abstracts of the Answers and Returns: Enumeration. Part I England and Wales with Index to Names of Places at end of each part. Estimated Population of England and Wales, 1570-1750
1861 England and Wales General Report Population, Houses and Families
1861 England and Wales General Report Ages of the Population
1861 England and Wales General Report Conjugal Condition of the People
1861 England and Wales General Report Increase of the Population of England and Wales since 1651
1861 England and Wales General Report Laws Regulating the Growth of Nations
1871 England and Wales General Report Population
1871 England and Wales Preliminary Report and Tables of Population and Houses Urban Populations, Sexes, Houses and Families
1881 England and Wales General Report Number of the Population and Rates of Increase
1881 England and Wales General Report Density of the Population and Habitations
1881 England and Wales General Report Sexes
1881 England and Wales General Report Ages
1881 England and Wales General Report Condition as to Marriage, or Civil Condition
1891 England and Wales General Report Population and Rates of Increase
1891 England and Wales General Report Sexes, Ages, and Condition as to Marriage
1901 England and Wales General Report, with Appendices Population and Rates of Increase
1901 England and Wales General Report, with Appendices Sexes, Ages, and Condition as to Marriage
1911 England and Wales General Report with Appendices Population
1911 England and Wales General Report with Appendices Sexes, Ages, and Condition as to Marriage
1911 England and Wales Languages Spoken in Wales and Monmouthsire Local Distribution
1911 Scotland Population, Ages and Conjugal Condition, Occupations, Birthplaces, Housing, Gaelic-speaking The Population of Scotland
1911 Scotland Preliminary Report Population of Scotland
1911 Scotland Population, Ages and Conjugal Condition, Occupations, Birthplaces, Housing, Gaelic-speaking Density of Population
1911 Scotland Preliminary Report Population of the Counties of Scotland
1911 Scotland Preliminary Report Population of the Burghs of Scotland
1911 Scotland Population, Ages and Conjugal Condition, Occupations, Birthplaces, Housing, Gaelic-speaking Age Distribution and Conjugal Condition
1921 England and Wales General Report with Appendices Population
1921 England and Wales General Report with Appendices Sexes, Ages and Marital Conditions
1921 Scotland Preliminary Report Population of Scotland
1921 Scotland Preliminary Report Notes on individual County Populations
1931 England and Wales General Report Population
1931 England and Wales General Report Sexes, Ages and Marital Conditions
1931 Scotland Preliminary Report Population of Scotland: General Summary
1931 Scotland Preliminary Report Notes on individual County Populations
1931 Scotland Preliminary Report Population Tables
1951 Scotland Preliminary Report Population of Scotland: General Summary
1951 Scotland Preliminary Report Notes on individual County Populations