First Results

Census 2021 – first results

The first outputs from Census 2021 were published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 28th June 2022. These first results included five datasets containing population and household estimates for England and Wales as at Census day (21 March 2021) and by local authority. All data is rounded to 100.

The recorded presentation below provides a detailed look at the population and household estimates for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough from Census 2021. To begin the recording select Options (…) in the presentation window below, then select Play. After the narration has finished, you can click inside the window to move onto the next slide, or change slide using the arrow buttons at the bottom of the presentation window.

You can also open presentation in a larger window by selecting the Open in New Window button in the bottom right corner of the presentation window above.  Alternatively, from the Options menu select Download to download and open the presentation in PowerPoint.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough summary

  • Cambridge and Peterborough have both seen high population growth between Census 2011 and Census 2021, and are amongst the fastest growing local authorities in England,
  • Population increases in East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire and South Cambridgeshire since Census 2011 range between 4.7% and 8.9%, with notable growth in the 65 years and over age groups.

The total usual resident population of Cambridgeshire for Census 2021 is 678,600 – an increase of 9.2% (57,400 residents) from Census 2011, when the usual resident population was 621,200. The Census 2021 estimate for total number of households is 277,600, representing 36,800 additional households – a rise of 10.5% – since Census 2011.

The total usual resident population of Peterborough for Census 2021 is 215,700 – an increase of 17.5% (32,100 residents) from Census 2011, when the usual resident population was 183,600. The Census 2021 estimate for total number of households is 84,500, representing 10,500 additional households – a rise of 14.2% – since Census 2011.

Presentation, report and further resources

The following report, presentation (without recording) and data file are available to download and provide more information on the first Census 2021 population and household estimates for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

You can also find the Census 2021 population and household datasets for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in the Data Explorer on Cambridgeshire Insight, including comparisons to Census 1991, 2001 and 2011. These can also be mapped in our Map Explorer tool.

The Census 2021 population and households estimates for all local authorities in England and Wales can be found on the ONS website. This includes further tools and information on the Census 2021 first results, such as a local authority comparison tool, an interactive article, an online Census 2021 map game, and a  Quality and Methodology Information (QMI) report.