The population of Bracknell has gone up by more than the national average over the last ten years, the Census published today reveals. 

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the results which provide estimates on the population of England and Wales, as well as age and sex profiles of local authorities. 

The 2021 Census achieved a record response, with more than 20 million households completing questionnaires, 89 per cent of which were done online, that will be used to shape the future of public services. 

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Deputy national statistician, Pete Benton, said the data will provide a “crucial baseline” from which to monitor and manage change post pandemic. 

The latest Census shows that the population of England and Wales has increased by more than 3.5 million, 6.3 per cent, to 59,597,300 in the 10 years leading up to the data capture. 

Over the same period, the population of Bracknell has gone up by 11,395, from 113,205 in 2011 to 124,600 in 2021 – an increase of 10.1 per cent. 

This is well above the average for the south-east of England, which increased by 7.5 per cent from a total population of 9.3 million in 2011, but below the local average which sees nearby Wokingham’s population increase by 15 per cent and Reading’s by 11.9 per cent. 

The trend of population ageing has continued, with more people than ever before in the older age groups, which is also reflected in Bracknell Forest. 

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The 65+ age group has increased by 32.18 per cent in the last ten years, from 14,147 in 2011 to 18,700 in 2021, with the category now making up 15 per cent of the borough’s population. 

The lowest increase is seen in the under 15 age group, which make up 18.5 per cent of Bracknell’s population, where there was an increase of 1,246 – 5.7 per cent – to 23,100. 

The category that makes up the largest proportion of the borough is the 15-64 group, 66.4 per cent of the total population. This group has risen by 7.12 per cent over the last ten years to 82,700. 

In line with the national outlook, population density in the borough has also been on the rise, with a ten per cent increase since 2011. 

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Up from 1,035 in 2011, there are now 1,139 people per square metre in Bracknell, which equates to a ‘population per football pitch’ of 8.9 people. 

Mr Benton added: “The Census […] is hugely important to inform decisions about all of our public services, from education to healthcare, and across the private sector. 

Following these population estimates, the ONS will release further results from the Census in September. These will include data on ethnicity, religion, the labour market, education and housing.