The population of Medway has risen to 279,800, the first results from the 2021 census have revealed. It grew by 15,900 (6%) since the previous census was carried out in 2011, when the population sat at around 263,900. However, this is lower than the population growth seen in surrounding areas such as Maidstone and Swale, which rose by 13.3% and 11.7% respectively. The latest population rise in Medway places the conurbation ahead of other areas in the South East, including Southampton (5.1%) and Canterbury (4.1%). In 2021, Medway was ranked the 22nd most densely populated of the South East's 64 local authority areas, with around 10 people living on each football pitch-sized area of land. Variations in population density between local authority areas is calculated by measuring the land in football pitches and working out how many people there would be on each one. The census data also revealed that most age groups in Medway saw an increase in population, particularly those aged 65 years and over. There has been an increase of 24.3% in people aged 65 years and over, an increase of 1.8% in people aged 15 to 64 years, and an increase of 7.3% in children aged under 15 years. Meanwhile, a notable decrease of 16% in people aged 20 to 24 and a decrease of 15% in young people aged 15 to 19 were seen. The population of people aged 45 to 49 and people aged 40 to 44 also decreased, falling by 10% and 6% respectively. The latest population count for Medway is seen as a significant piece of data as it influences how much funding Medway Council receives. If the figures are markedly below the population projection for the area, it could result in budget cuts. The trend for Medway’s growth rate has remained relatively low since 2017. It has a lower rate of growth than Kent, the South East, and England and Wales, peaking in 2012 after the 2011 census when the population rose by 1.23%. Significant outward migration from Medway - most notably to neighbouring parts of Kent - has reduced the overall level of growth in recent years.
In 2020 alone, 11,666 people moved out of Medway, with the main destinations being Swale, Maidstone, Tonbridge and Malling, Canterbury and Gravesham, according to a council report using data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The ONS will be publishing data from the 2021 census for England and Wales in stages over the next two years. Future releases will include figures on ethnicity, religion, the labour market, education and housing, while information on UK armed forces veterans, sexual orientation and gender identity will also be available for the first time. Comments are closed.
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August 2023
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