The proportion of the population aged over 65 was close to 5% in all censuses from 1851 to 1911, but it then tripled during the 20th century. In the nineteenth century, the elderly can be seen as a residual, concentrated mainly in rural areas. In 1851, this meant mainly the rural periphery: the south west, Norfolk and Suffolk, and most of Wales. The highlands of Scotland, conversely, contained relatively few elderly people due to poor life expectancy.

By 1951, we begin to see a new pattern as people began to expect a lengthy retirement in which some could live where they pleased. The elderly themselves became migrants, moving to rural areas and especially to seaside areas. By the early 21st century, the country was almost ringed by a necklace of districts with over 20% aged over 65.