Census demography dashboard commentary: population profile
This commentary is from the population profile page of the Census demography dashboard. Select an area below to view the commentary.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Younger population (aged 17 years and under)
The proportion of the population aged 17 years and under ranges from 32.9% for Cambourne ward in South Cambridgeshire, to 6.6% for Newnham ward in Cambridge. There are higher proportions for this age group of the total population in areas where there has been significant housing development, which includes Cambourne, St Neots East in Huntingdonshire (32.2%) and Hampton Vale in Peterborough (31.1%). Peterborough’s urban wards also tend to have higher proportions of younger populations, such as Dogsthorpe (28.9%), North (28.9%) and East (27.3%).
Lower proportions for this age group tend to be found in Cambridge wards – such as Newnham, Market (8.2%), Castle (10.7%) and Petersfield (12.8%) – as well as some rural wards in Huntingdonshire – such as Great Staughton (12.9%) and Alconbury (16.6%).
These same trends can be seen for the population born most recently, aged 4 years and under. Wards that have seen significant housing development tend to have the highest proportion of 0-4 year olds in their populations, such as St Neots East in Huntingdonshire (9.4%), Hargate & Hempsted in Peterborough (9.0%) and Trumpington in Cambridge (8.1%). On the other hand, lower proportions tend to be for Cambridge wards – such as Newnham (1.4%) and Market (1.5%) – but also some notable rural and market town wards. This includes Great Staughton in Huntingdonshire (3.0%), Whittlesey South in Fenland (3.4%) and Glinton & Castor in Peterborough (3.5%).
Working aged population (aged 18 to 64 years)
The proportion of the total population aged 18 to 64 years ranges from 85.8% for Newnham in Cambridge to 53.4% for March East in Fenland. The highest proportions are overwhelmingly found in Cambridge wards – such as Newnham, Market (84.1%), Castle (80.0%) and Petersfield (77.2%) – followed by some wards in Peterborough – such as Hargate & Hempsted (65.4%), Wittering (65.3%) and Fletton & Woodston (65.2%).
Lower proportions for this age group are found in some rural and some market town wards, such as March East, Buckden in Huntingdonshire (53.6%), Glinton & Castor in Peterborough (53.7%) and Bottisham in East Cambridgeshire (53.9%).
For the younger working aged population (aged 18 to 44), the highest proportions are mostly found in Cambridge wards such as Newnham (77.6%), Market (73.6%) and Castle (66.4%). In contrast, the lowest proportions tend to be for rural wards such as The Mordens in South Cambridgeshire (21.0%), Kimbolton in Huntingdonshire (23.0%) and Glinton & Castor in Peterborough (23.1%).
The opposite trend can be found for the older working aged population (aged 45 to 64 years). The highest proportions tend to be found in rural wards of Huntingdonshire – such as Great Staughton (35.0%), Kimbolton (34.4%) and Stilton, Folksworth & Washingley (33.0%) – and South Cambridgeshire – such as The Mordens (34.2%) and Barrington (31.5%). The lower proportions tend to be found in the urban wards of Cambridge – such as Newnham (8.2%) and Market (10.5%) – and Peterborough – such as Hargate & Hempsted (18.9%) and Central (19.3%).
Older population (aged 65 years and over)
The proportion of the population aged 65 years and over ranges from 29.0% for Leverington & Wisbech Rural in Fenland to 4.9% for Hargate & Hempsted in Peterborough. Higher proportions for this age group tend to be found in Fenland’s wards – such as March East (28.5%), March South (27.9%) and Whittlesey South (27.6%) – but also for some notable rural wards – such as Buckden in Huntingdonshire (28.7%), Glinton & Castor in Peterborough (26.9%) and Gamlingay in South Cambridgeshire (26.8%).
Lower proportions for this age group are found in wards with significant housing development – such as Hargate & Hempsted in Peterborough (4.9%), St Neots East in Huntingdonshire (4.9%) and Cambourne in South Cambridgeshire (5.0%) – as well as urban wards in Cambridge and Peterborough.
Cambridgeshire
Younger population (aged 17 years and under)
The proportion of the total population aged 17 years and under ranges from 32.9% for Cambourne ward in South Cambridgeshire, to 6.6% for Newnham ward in Cambridge. Higher proportions of this age group are found in areas where there has been significant housing development, which includes Cambourne, St Neots East in Huntingdonshire (32.2%) and Trumpington in Cambridge (26.8%).
Lower proportions for this age group tend to be found in Cambridge wards – such as Newnham, Market (8.2%), Castle (10.7%) and Petersfield (12.8%) – as well as some rural wards in Huntingdonshire – such as Great Staughton (12.9%) and Alconbury (16.6%).
These same trends can be seen for the population born most recently, aged 4 years and under. Wards that have seen significant housing development tend to have the highest proportions of 0-4 year olds in their populations, such as St Neots East in Huntingdonshire (9.4%), Trumpington in Cambridge (8.1%) and The Stukeleys in Huntingdonshire (7.7%). On the other hand, lower proportions of 0-4 year olds tend to be seen in Cambridge wards – such as Newnham (1.4%) and Market (1.5%) – but also some notable rural and market town wards. This includes Great Staughton in Huntingdonshire (3.0%) and Whittlesey South in Fenland (3.4%).
Working aged population (aged 18 to 64 years)
The proportion of the population aged 18 to 64 years ranges from 85.8% for Newnham in Cambridge to 53.4% for March East in Fenland. The highest proportions are overwhelmingly found in Cambridge wards – such as Newnham, Market (84.1%), Castle (80.0%) and Petersfield (77.2%). Lower proportions for this age group are found in some rural and some market town wards, such as March East, Buckden in Huntingdonshire (53.6%), Bottisham in East Cambridgeshire (53.9%) and Gamlingay in South Cambridgeshire (54.2%).
For the younger working aged population (aged 18 to 44), the highest proportions are overwhelmingly found in Cambridge wards such as Newnham (77.6%), Market (73.6%) and Castle (66.4%). In contrast, the lowest proportions tend to be for rural wards such as The Mordens in South Cambridgeshire (21.0%) as well as Kimbolton (23.0%) and Buckden (24.4%) in Huntingdonshire.
The opposite trend can be found for the older working aged population (aged 45 to 64 years). The highest proportions tend to be found in rural wards of Huntingdonshire – such as Great Staughton (35.0%), Kimbolton (34.4%) and Stilton, Folksworth & Washingley (33.0%) – and South Cambridgeshire – such as The Mordens (34.2%) and Barrington (31.5%). The lower proportions tend to be found in the urban wards of Cambridge, such as Newnham (8.2%), Market (10.5%) and Castle (13.6%).
Older population (aged 65 years and over)
The proportion of the total population aged 65 years and over ranges from 29.0% for Leverington & Wisbech Rural in Fenland to 4.9% for St Neots East in Huntingdonshire. Higher proportions for this age group tend to be found in Fenland’s wards – such as March East (28.5%), March South (27.9%) and Whittlesey South (27.6%) – but also in rural wards across Cambridgeshire– such as Buckden in Huntingdonshire (28.7%), Gamlingay in South Cambridgeshire (26.8%) and Bottisham in East Cambridgeshire (25.8%).
Lower proportions for this age group are found in wards with significant housing development – such as St Neots East in Huntingdonshire (4.9%) and Cambourne in South Cambridgeshire (5.0%) – as well as urban wards in Cambridge.
Peterborough
Younger population (aged 17 years and under)
The proportion of the total population aged 17 years and under ranges from 31.1% for Hampton Vale ward to 18.1% in Werrington. Peterborough’s urban wards tend to have higher proportions for this age group, with all wards except for Werrington having a proportion above 20%. For the rural wards, the proportion ranges between 19.2%, Glinton and Castor, and 23.4%, Wittering.
For the population born most recently, aged 4 years and under, the proportion ranges from 9.0% in Hargate & Hempsted ward to 3.5% in Glinton & Castor. Peterborough’s urban wards also tend to have higher proportions for this age group, with the proportion ranging from 9.0% to 4.2%, Werrington, compared to 5.9% to 3.5% for rural wards.
Working aged population (aged 18 to 64 years)
The proportion of the population aged 18 to 64 years ranges from 65.4% in Hargate & Hempsted to 53.7% in Glinton & Castor. Aside from Wittering , 65.0%ward, Peterborough’s remaining rural wards have proportions below 60% for this age group.
For the younger working aged population (aged 18 to 44), the proportion ranges from 46.5% in Hargate & Hempsted to 23.1% in Glinton & Castor. Two other wards in Peterborough have a proportion below 30% for this age group, which are the rural ward of Barnack (24.1%) and the urban ward West (29.1%).
For the older working aged population (aged 45 to 64 years), the proportion ranges from 31.4% in Barnack to 18.9% in Hargate & Hempsted. Aside from Wittering ward, Peterborough’s rural wards tend to have higher proportions for this age group, such as for Barnack, Glinton & Castor (30.6%) and Eye, Thorney & Newborough (27.4%).
Older population (aged 65 years and over)
The proportion of the population aged 65 years and over ranges from 26.9% in Glinton & Castor to 4.9% in Hargate & Hempsted. Aside from Wittering ward (with 11.3%), Peterborough’s rural wards tend to have higher proportions for this age group – Glinton & Castor, Barnack (22.1%) and Eye, Thorney & Newborough (19.2%). Most urban wards have proportions below 20%, with the exceptions being West (24.5%), Werrington (21.6%), Orton Waterville (21.4%) and Gunthorpe (20.2%).
Cambridge
Younger population (aged 17 years and under)
The proportion of the population aged 17 years and under ranges from 26.8% in Trumpington to 6.6% in Newnham. The proportions for this age group tend to be higher for wards on Cambridge’s periphery, such as Trumpington (where there has been significant house building), Cherry Hinton (21.5%) and Arbury (21.2%). There are lower proportions for wards located in the centre of Cambridge and for more student concentrated areas, such as Newnham, Market (8.2%) and Castle (10.7%).
For the population born most recently, aged 4 years and under, the proportion ranges from 8.1% in Trumpington to 1.4% in Newnham. The highest proportions are again found in Trumpington, Arbury (6.0%) and Cherry Hinton (5.8%).
Working aged population (aged 18 to 64 years)
The proportion of the working aged population (aged 18 to 64 years) ranges from 85.8% in Newnham to 62.9% in Cherry Hinton. The wards with the highest proportions for this age group are all located in the more student concentrated areas, including Newnham, Market (84.1%) and Castle (80.0%).
For the younger working aged population (aged 18 to 44 years), again the wards with higher numbers of students have higher proportions of this age group. This includes Newham (77.6%), Market (73.6%) and Castle (66.4%). In contrast, wards with higher proportions of the older working aged population (aged 45 to 64 years) are Cherry Hinton (24.3%), Queen Edith’s (23.7%) and West Chesterton (22.7%).
Older population (aged 65 years and over)
The proportion of the population aged 65 years and over ranges from 17.1% in West Chesterton to 7.6% in Newnham. Two other wards in Cambridge have a proportion above 15%, which are Cherry Hinton (15.6%) and East Chesterton (15.1%). Wards where there tend to be higher numbers of students tend to have lower proportions of the total population who are aged 65 years and over, including Newnham, Market (7.7%) and Castle (9.3%). Trumpington, where there has been significant house building, also has a lower proportion of those aged 65 years and over, at 9.1% of the total population.
East Cambridgeshire
Younger population (aged 17 years and under)
The proportion of the population aged 17 years and under ranges from 25.2% in Ely North to 17.1% in Ely East. East Cambridgeshire’s market town wards tend to have slightly higher proportions for this age group, with proportions for these wards all above 20% except for Ely East. East Cambridgeshire’s rural wards tend to have slightly lower proportions of young people, although they still account for at least 20% of the population for all rural wards except for Downham Villages (19.3%) and Woodditton (18.9%).
For the population born most recently, aged 4 years and under, the proportion ranges from 6.2% in Littleport to 4.0% in Ely East and Bottisham wards. Again, East Cambridgeshire’s market town wards tend to have slightly higher proportions for this age group compared to rural wards, though Ely West (4.6%) and Ely East are notable exceptions.
Working aged population (aged 18 to 64 years)
The proportion of the working aged population (aged 18 to 64 years) ranges from 61.8% in Ely North to 53.9% in Bottisham. East Cambridgeshire’s market town wards have higher proportions for this age group, ranging from 61.8% to 58.4% (Ely West) for market town wards compared to 58.2% (Fordham and Isleham) to 53.9% for rural wards.
This same trend is found for the younger working aged population (aged 18 to 44 years), with the proportions for market town wards ranging from 36.2% (Ely North) to 30.9% (Ely West) compared to 29.8% (Sutton) to 25.3% (Bottisham) for rural wards. The reverse trend is found for the older working aged population (aged 45 to 64 years), with lower proportions for market town wards (ranging from 25.1%, Littleport, to 27.5%, Ely West) compared to rural wards (ranging from 28.5%m Sutton, to 30.7%, Downham Villages).
Older population (aged 65 years and over)
The proportion of the population aged 65 years and over ranges from 25.8% in Bottisham to 13.0% in Ely North. East Cambridgeshire’s market town wards tend to have lower proportions for this age group, though a notable exception is Ely East with 24.2%. In contrast, all rural wards have proportions above 20% for this age group.
Fenland
Younger population (aged 17 years and under)
The proportion of the population aged 17 years and under ranges from 26.1% in Wisbech North to 16.7% in Leverington & Wisbech Rural. The proportions for Fenland’s market town wards tend to be higher for this age group compared to rural wards, however exceptions include March East (18.1%), Wisbech South (18.1%), March South (17.5%) and Whittlesey South (16.9%).
The population born most recently, aged 4 years and under, accounts for 7.1% in Wisbech North to 3.4% in Whittlesey South of the total population. Again, there tends to be higher proportions for market town wards compared to rural wards, with the exception of March North (4.5%), March South (4.3%), Whittlesey Lattersey (4.0%) and Whittlesey South. In contrast, for all rural wards those aged 4 years and under account for less than 5% of the population.
Working aged population (aged 18 to 64 years)
The proportion of the working aged population (aged 18 to 64 years) ranges from 63.6% in Wisbech Riverside to 53.4% in March East. Two other wards have proportions above 60%, which are Wisbech South (61.6%) and March North (60.1%). Market town wards tend to have higher proportions than rural wards for this age group. However, notably lower proportions can be found in Whittlesey South (55.5%), March South (54.6%) and March East.
This same trend can be found for the younger working aged population (aged 18 to 44 years). Fenland’s rural wards have notably lower proportions for this age group, ranging from 27.8% (Elm and Christchurch) to 25.1% (Leverington and Wisbech Rural) compared to 38.2% (Wisbech Riverside) to 27.2% (Whittlesey South) for market town wards.
Fenland’s rural wards have higher proportions for the older working aged population (aged 45 to 64 years), with the proportion ranging from 29.6% (Doddington and Wimblington) to 28.6% (Elm and Christchurch) for rural wards compared to 28.2% (Whittlesey South) to 22.0% (Wisbech North) for market town wards.
Older population (aged 65 years and over)
The proportion of the population aged 65 years and over ranges from 29.0% for Leverington & Wisbech Rural to 14.1% for Wisbech North. Fenland’s market town wards tend to have lower proportions for this age group compared to rural wards, however notably high proportions can be found in March East (28.5%), March South (27.9%) and Whittlesey South (27.6%). The proportion for rural wards ranges from 29.0% (Leverington and Wisbech Rural) to 24.4% (Parson Drove and Wisbech St Mary), compared to 28.5% (March East) to 14.1% (Wisbech North) for market town wards.
Huntingdonshire
Younger population (aged 17 years and under)
The proportion of the population aged 17 years and under ranges from 32.2% in St Neots East to 12.9% in Great Staughton. The wards with the highest proportions – St Neots East, Brampton (24.6%) and The Stukeleys (23.7%) – have all seen significant housing development since Census 2011, including the new settlement of Alconbury Weald found in The Stukeleys ward. The proportions for market town wards compared to rural wards are broadly similar, ranging from 32.2% (St Neots East) to 17.7% (Huntingdon East) for market town wards and 24.6% (Brampton) to 12.9% (Great Staughton) for rural wards.
The proportion of the population born most recently, aged 4 years and under, ranges from 9.4% in St Neots East to 3.0% in Great Staughton. Again, the wards with the highest proportions – St Neots East, The Stukeleys (7.7%) and Brampton (6.8%) – have seen significant housing development since Census 2011. The proportions for market town wards are also broadly similar to rural wards.
Working aged population (aged 18 to 64 years)
The proportion of the working aged population (aged 18 to 64 years) ranges from 64.6% in Huntingdon North to 53.6% in Buckden. The proportions for this age group are broadly similar for both market town and rural wards. For market town wards, the proportion ranges from 64.6% to 56.0% (St Ives West), while for rural wards it ranges from 63.3% (Great Staughton) to 53.6% (Buckden). The Stukeleys ward, which contains the new settlement of Alconbury Weald, has the second highest proportion for this age group of 64.4%.
The proportion of the younger working aged population (aged 18 to 44 years), ranges from 43.9% in St Neots East to 23.0% in Kimbolton. The proportions for Huntingdonshire’s market town wards tend to be higher compared to those for rural wards. All market town wards except for Ramsey (29.6%) and St Ives West (29.3%) have proportions above 30% for this age group. In contrast, just four rural wards have proportions above 30%: Sawtry (30.7%), Hemingford Grey & Houghton (32.1%), Yaxley (32.2%) and Brampton (35.7%). The new settlement ward of The Stukeleys has the third highest proportion of this age group, at 39.3%.
The opposite trend can be found for the older working aged population (aged 45 to 64 years), with the proportion for market town wards ranging from 28.5% (Ramsey) to 19.0% (St Neots East) compared to 35.0% (Great Staughton) to 24.7% (Hemingford Grey & Houghton) for rural wards.
Older population (aged 65 years and over)
The proportion of the population aged 65 years and over ranges from 28.7% in Buckden to 4.9% in St Neots East. The proportions of this age group are broadly similar for market town wards compared to rural wards, with the market town proportion ranging from 24.6% (St Ives West) to 4.9% compared to 28.7% to 14.8% (Brampton) for rural wards.
South Cambridgeshire
Younger population (aged 17 years and under)
The proportion of the population aged 17 years and under ranges from 32.9% in Cambourne ward to 17.8% in Bar Hill. The highest proportions of young people are found in wards that have seen significant housing development, notably Cambourne and Longstanton ward (25.1%), which contains the new settlement of Northstowe.
The proportion of the population born most recently, aged 4 years and under, ranges from 7.6% in Longstanton to 4.1% in Linton. Again, the highest proportions are found in both Longstanton and Cambourne wards.
Working aged population (aged 18 to 64 years)
The proportion of the working aged population (aged 18 to 64 years) ranges from 62.8% in Milton & Waterbeach to 54.2% in Gamlingay. Other wards with notably high proportions for this age group are Caxton & Papworth (62.3%), Cambourne (62.1%) and Longstanton (61.9%).
For the younger working aged population (aged 18 to 44 years), the proportion ranges from 39.7% in Longstanton to 21.0% in The Mordens. Tthe wards of Longstanton and Cambourne (39.1%) (where there has been significant house building) have the highest proportions for this age group. Wards that border Cambridge City also tend to have higher proportions, such as Milton & Waterbeach (37.3%), Histon & Impington (35.1%) and Fen Ditton & Fulbourn (34.1%).
The opposite trend can be found for the older working aged population (aged 45 to 64 years), with the proportions ranging from 34.2% in The Mordens to 22.2% in Longstanton. Alongside Longstanton, Cambourne (23.0%) also has a low proportion for this age group. Wards that border Cambridge City also tend to have lower proportions, such as Histon & Impington (25.4%), Milton & Waterbeach (25.6%) and Girton (25.9%).
Older population (aged 65 years and over)
The proportion of the population aged 65 years and over ranges from 26.8% in Gamlingay to just 5.0% in Cambourne. Longstanton ward, containing the new settlement of Northstowe, also has a low proportion of the population aged 65 years and over, at 12.9%. Alongside Gamlingay, the ward of Balsham (25.9%) also has over 25% of its population in this age group.